Overgrown grass verges.

I thought maybe this was just our negligent council, but we're just back from a tour of rural Shropshire, and the problem seems to be nationwide.
Venturing out from a side road, some junctions, especially those with an acute bend to the right, are virtually blind, forcing you to move out into a dangerous position. 
It's not so bad in the high van, far worse in a low car or motorbike.
Some of this vegetation is four foot high.
I'm told every fatal RTA ends up costing the taxpayer about a million pounds.
A lot of verge cutting could be done for that sort of money.
Al.

I think that councils have stopped cutting verges to let the flora and fauna to thrive which is good for the environment which I am all for but this has to be managed and not just used as a money saving exercise.
Cutting the verges in the areas where it is a driving hazard has to be done to prevent accidents, the rest can be cut after the vegetation has seeded.

Hi Our council put it out to tender. Just the miimum gets done.     However its the same on all roads and roundabouts with signs now hidden by growth  as well.

Micky

Cornwall is going a step further, not only are the verges no longer being cut except for the important bits but there is now a plan to plant a forest of trees along 'streets' and hedgerows to aid the environment.
Gets my vote but I hope they have accounted for the leaves and debris that will be spread across the adjacent areas!

Don't you just get sick of the environmentalist brigade. Face it, we all drive large polluting vehicles that contribute in a big way to global catastrophe. 
If we had any thought to the well being of our planet we'd all give up this selfish pursuit of individual gratification and stay at home..
Al.

How much do you want for your bikes and motorhome then Al:hugegrins:

I think it's merely sensible to let the hedges and verges grow until the birds have fledged and the flowers have set seed. 
The verges on the main roads here have been cut just this week and this is down to two things:
Council cost-cutting and also to help visibility for summer visitors who drive around as if they're still on the motorway.

Don't worry about the motorhome Al it's all those flights to NZ ...

Cheers Hog and Nuevoboy! I was somewhat tongue in cheek. I think I'll be keeping my 8 polluting vehicles as well as carrying on flying to NZ..!
I was still stinging from an online carbon footprint checker that one of my extremely environmentally aware acquaintances forwarded to me.
The closer to zero the more holier than thou you are.
She proudly told me her score was 60.
I'm afraid mine came out at 160, almost off the scale..
Al.

I'd love to take that test Al, any idea where I can find it please?

Well, not our local council. Every three weeks the dual carriageway between us and the next town gets a lane on each side closed for the entire length of about 5 miles to allow for verge grass cutting. This goes on for pretty much the whole working day. Because the road has traffic lights and roundabouts, there are aĺways tailbacks and long delays getting through. Usually it doesn't bother me as I've figured out an alternative route, except last week they closed it for maintenance 

Thanks Al
Not much better than you I am afraid 143%

My friend must be some kind of saint to get down to 60% Hog!
Al.

Regarding hedges and verges at junctions. On my advanced driving test my tester said what was the last road sign. Er what sign?. He said " I agree it was a bit overgrown".
I have noticed in some areas they have left a strip of verge uncut to let wild flowers grow.

I took the footprint test and scored 88% However, the questions are loaded, for example, assuming you use certain fuels to heat your home. I use none of those listed. Neither do I ever take air flights.But this isn't allowed in answering the questions! It's a fix!

Overgrown verges? Yes it's getting worse because councils no longer employ staff to carry out maintenance work. So, whilst we pay more taxes, we are getting much reduced services for our money. We assume there are some global benefits? However, this is putting pressure elsewhere whilst those in charge rake in higher salaries "thanks to their savings?"

Regards, Barry.

I'm now wondering what fuel you use to heat your home!
I'm impressed with your 88%.
Al.

I'm now wondering what fuel you use to heat your home!
I'm impressed with your 88%.
Al.

Bikeralw, I've sent you a PM.

I've just completed the questionnaire and got a score of 95%.
However, I think I deserve a bonus for creating a wildflower meadow and using hand shears to cut my hedges!

Its not the verges that worry me but the half forests which overhang the road, can count the number of times the hedge has jumped out at me especially on B roads

As I've said in another thread, my one and only insurance claim in the van was due to overhanging hedges on a B road when I had to move in due to an inconsiderate oncoming driver. The hedge was neatly cut back but only to a height of six foot or so. At 8 foot off the ground the hedge was hiding a lopped tree branch about 3 inches diameter....
Al.

It looks like the councils use lorries and buses to trim the trees in my travels.
Difficult to walk on the pavements on our estate due to low hanging branches!!

Many owners are doing council work with grass cutting as well.


Micky

The best example of buses altering trees was near Beaminster. Tree surgeons were on a open top double decker trimming branches back, what a great idea.

crisp wrote:Its not the verges that worry me but the half forests which overhang the road, can count the number of times the hedge has jumped out at me especially on B roads

Yes, had to thank the mirror guards more than once myself 

I might add that many roadsigns are unreadable due to tree growth.
Must we wait for an accident to get some trimming done?

Micky