Statement from the Parish Council: 20 July 2023
In April Herefordshire County Council (HCC) invited all parish councils in the county to decide whether they wanted to opt out of the spring cut of verges in their areas. The HCC message stated:
“Last year we listened to feedback from many parishes who wished to have only the second verge cut in the late summer where there was a wish to encourage greater biodiversity in the verge. By having only one cut any wildflowers in the verge are given the opportunity to flower and set seed over the summer providing food for key pollinators and also habitat for wildlife.
I am pleased to communicate that we are again open to feedback from the Parishes as to whether you wish to have one cut carried out towards the end of the growing season or whether you wish for us to carry out two cuts.”
The message also included the point that it is the responsibility of the Locality Steward to identify and deal with any safety concerns, including those connected to verges.
Linton(S) Parish Council decided to adopt a one cut approach, thus playing our part in the aim of encouraging greater biodiversity. Recently however several people have expressed their concern that specific verges are overgrown and constitute a potential safety hazard for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists alike. The Council takes these concerns very seriously and encourages people to report them to the Locality Steward who will assess, and remedy where needed. The best way to do this is via the weblink https://www.fixmystreet.com/ but the Steward will also respond to issues raised online via Report problems on the road – Herefordshire Council.