EAST LOTHIAN COUNCIL - TRANSPORTATION DIVISION

GRASS CUTTING ALONG ROADSIDE VERGES

Introduction

Roadside verges along the rural road network are maintained by three tractor-mounted grass cutters. These are sub-contracted by Road Services each year to cut verges between May and September. The annual cost of this work is about £35,000. In addition, a small number of urban locations are cut to amenity standard by the Council's Amenity Services Division, on behalf of Transportation.

Cutting roadside verges is a necessity that inevitably prevents many plants from flowering properly. Some years ago, in partnership with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, the cutting of rural verges was amended to encourage wildflowers. Cutting was reduced to two cuts per year and the first cut was the single width of a flail. Specific, and generally small, stretches of flower-rich verge were also identified. These were cut once only, at the end of the summer. These verges were looked after successfully by volunteers but for various reasons the scheme is no longer effective.

Roadside verges may also be important walking routes for local communities. Consequently, a simplified cutting regime has been developed that encourages biodiversity, whilst also incorporating local walking routes. Details of the cutting contract are given below.

SPECIFICATIONS

General cutting regime

A-class roads: The first cut should be flat and one width of the flail only.

reason: to provide a clearly defined road edge along main roads.

The second cut should be flat and extend over 80% - 90% of the road verge.

reason: to leave a fringe of unmanaged habitat at the back of the verge.

Other roads: The first cut should be at a 45 degree angle and one width of the flail only (as illustrated below).

reason: to define the road edge but allow wildflowers to grow and set seed.

The second cut should be flat and extend over 80% - 90% of the road verge.

reason: to leave a fringe of unmanaged habitat at the back of the verge.

General: The management of junctions need for visibility or sight lines is not affected by the above specifications.

Local community cutting agreements

Local communities use some roadside verges for walking and horse-riding. Other communities have expressed concern at the loss of wildflowers at the time of the first cut. Where communities express a need for a specific cutting regime, local alterations will be appended. These agreements will aim to satisfy the local need within a simple cutting regime. The general location of local agreements is marked with a red dot on the map and is detailed below.

Boggs Holdings

The verge on the east side of the B6363 from the junction with the B6355 to the Boggs Farm entrance needs to be cut as per A-class roads to allow walking.

Drem

The wide verges east and west of the Skew Bridge should receive the first cut but not the second. ELC Groundcare have their own management arrangement for this site.

East Saltoun

The verge from the southwest corner of Strawberry Wood into East Saltoun should not be cut.

Garvald

The verges leading into and through Garvald from the B6370 should not be cut in spring, to allow flowering of wild plants. The second cut, and sight lines, should be as normal.

Gifford

The verge on the west side of the B6369 from Gifford to Myreside should be cut as per A-class roads to provide a path for walking.

Haddington

The verge along the southern boundary wall of Haddington Golf Course should be cut as per A-class roads.

Kingston

Kingston Estate cut the road from: Fenton Barns eastwards to Kingston settlement; south to Sydserf; west then northwest to Dirleton.

Traprain

The verge on the north side of the road from the Cairndinnis road end to Traprain Law car park should be cut as per A-class roads.

45^o cut

Road

Verge

Approximate location of local cutting agreements