5,000 kilometres of grass are up for a trim in Worcestershire.

The county’s grass-cutting programme has now started, signalling the onset of the cutting season.

This is no small task; Worcestershire is home to over six million square metres of rural verges and 320,000 square metres of central reservations along its roads.

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This work gets underway in efforts to ensure roads remain visible for motorists, but also provide a safe space for wildlife.

Worcestershire County Council has adjusted its approach to grass cutting to encourage a more wildlife-friendly environment.

By cutting less grass around road junctions, the council aims to make areas more friendly and protected for pollinators.

In such areas, only one or two metres of grass is now cut back from the carriageway, leaving large uncut spaces available for wildlife.

Councillor Marc Bayliss, the council’s cabinet member with responsibility for highways and transport, considers this a vital step.

He said: "Although our primary responsibility for roadside verges is one of safety, we are very keen to support the recovery of pollinator populations within Worcestershire and this includes the way that we manage the sites."

"There are 46 Roadside Verge Nature Reserves designated for rare or special species and habitats across our County and all sites now receive a bespoke approach to ensure that protected or rare species are fully considered when it comes to maintenance. 

He added: "We will also continue to look at localised requests.

"We all need to look after the bees and other pollinator species, especially here in rural Worcestershire, because as we know our own survival depends upon it."

Dual carriageway verges, known as ‘Bee Lines,' often serve as links between previously isolated areas of ecological interest.

Residents are asked to report grass cutting issues to the council.