Maintenance of verges (grassed areas)
The majority of grass verges adjacent to roads are within the public highway and therefore come under the responsibility of the Council as Highway Authority.
The Council cuts grass to ensure that people can use roads and pavements safely. Although environmental issues are of paramount concern, grass cutting is actually carried out for highway safety reasons rather than environmental purposes.
In fulfilling its responsibilities as Highway Authority, the Council is required to keep verges safe and unobstructed and this is particularly important at road junctions where clear visibility for motorists and pedestrians is important.
The Council arranges grass cutting in-house or via external contractors. Funding is allocated annually through the routine highways maintenance budget to ensure that grass cutting is continued throughout the growing season.
In rural areas, a number of grass verges have rare or endangered species of flora/fauna and here the grass cutting regime is tailored to suit.
Grass cutting
What grass won't the Council cut?
We do not cut the grass that is -
- privately owned
- on properties/estates owned by bodies other than the Council
What will the Council cut?
We will cut the grass on all council owned land, ie -
- highways
- verges
- public open space
- schools
- parks
- town centres
- memorial gardens
To report problems with grass in any of the areas above please contact us on 020 8356 2897 or complete the above form.
Page updated: 14 Feb 2008