The county council will continue with its cyclical programme of grass cutting and weed spraying during the summer months:

• Basic grass cutting – to maintain visibility for highways users, and is carried out between one to three times a year in rural areas (depending on how much traffic a road carries) and eight times a year in urban areas. Only a single swathe is cut apart from where visibility is paramount – such as at an access or junction.
• Basic weed spraying  – once a year for roads with a speed limit above 30mph and two sprays a year in urban areas for roads with a speed limit below 40mph. For urban treatments, the kerb, channel and back of footway will be sprayed.
• Inspect and maintain highways trees and hedges

What is the task that local councils could carry out?

Local councils could consider:

• cutting grass more frequently for aesthetic purposes
• weed control – with the advice of the county council on use of week killer products
•  supporting landowners to maintain their hedges – they are required by law to trim any private vegetation next to the public highway where the growth is preventing the passage, or affecting the safety, of the highway user.  The Land Registry can help identify landowners or you can make a Highway Record Enquiry. 

How could local councils go about it?

You can use this method statement to carry out the work 

• • The safety of the person undertaking the activity and the safety of all passing by on the road. Read more safety advice.
  • The RSBP provides advice on the best time of year to carry out any hedge trimming to avoid the nesting season.
  • When to apply for a license to plant
  • Read more advice in the Method Statement