Castle Hedingham Parish Council

Overgrown grass is being cut back across Essex to keep roads and footpaths safe following unprecedented temperatures and rainfall.

Essex Highways has launched its grass-cutting programme to clear verges along the A13, A130, A133, A127 and A1245.

The programme includes rural areas around Colchester, Epping Forest, Tendring and Uttlesford. Other areas will be addressed by the relevant district, borough and city councils.

Grass within a metre of road edges is trimmed twice a year by Essex Highways to ensure clear lines of sight, improved visibility and safer navigation.

Recent months of heavy rainfall and warm temperatures have resulted in plants growing at faster rates.

East Anglia saw its wettest February since records began, according to the Met Office, as well as its warmest ever spring.

Essex Highways is working with Essex County Council’s arboriculture team to preserve vital wildflower species and support local biodiversity where it is safe to do so.

Vegetation maintenance is one of the key areas which will benefit from the £25 million Priority One funding boost recently announced by the council for Essex Highways.

Councillor Tom Cunningham, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Sustainable Transport, said: “It is paramount to ensure clear visibility on our roads and footpaths for pedestrians and road users alike, especially given the faster rate vegetation has been growing at over the past few months.

“Grass cut in wet conditions can also lead to clumps being deposited by lawnmowers onto highways. This is therefore ideally carried out when the weather is drier.

“We are committed to maintaining both the beauty and safety of our county’s verges wherever possible during our grass-cutting season, including by preserving wildflower species. This plays a crucial role in creating a safer, greener and healthier Essex, enhancing the pride we all have in our great county.”