Trial campaign launched aimed at protecting roadside verges

The initiative, which follows a public outcry over what was perceived as unnecesary and indiscriminate cutting in some areas, was launched in North Standen Road, Hungerford - but, ironically, the local verge which sparked the public campaign will not benefit.
The destruction of rare wild orchids along a verge between Hungerford and Inkpen triggered a campaign by local conservationists.
The alert was raised in August by Newbury Weekly News Hungerford edition reader Thomas Stanley who said: “The area has been flagged up to West Berkshire Council as being a verge worth conservation status. I think someone should be called to account for removing our wild flower heritage.”
The vice president of international environmental charity Earthwatch backed the campaign.
Nigel Winser said: “Keeping the verges intact for as long as possible is good for biodiversity.”
Hungerford Arcade stallholder Rita Kibble is helping to collect responses from the public, which included that of Mr Winser from Oxford.
Some called for inspections to be carried out by a qualified horticulturalist prior to cutting to identify conservation areas.
West Berkshire Council’s executive member for the environment, Hilary Cole (Con, Chieveley), took up the matter of the verge opposite Cold Harbour Farm between Inkpen and Hungerford with the team responsible.
However council officer Stewart Souden replied: “I think that regime should remain unchanged on this road for safety reasons. This is a very tight 90 degree bend and I think that the cut area serves as a useful sight line here.”
A meadow area just off the road contained wild flowers and orchids but Mr Souden added: “This is not part of the highway and we do not cut it. I strongly suspect that the local farmer cuts this area and probably owns this land too.”
Nevertheless the council aims to conduct a trial 'cut and clear' of some highway verges in the district to benefit wildflowers which also encourage local bee populations, a species which is currently under threat.
Mrs Cole said: “We’re actively looking at which verges are suitable for a reduced cutting regime, but road safety, for motorists, cyclists, horse riders and pedestrians, has to be the paramount concern.
"Management of wildflower verges is not just about getting the timing of our cutting regime right, it’s more than that. We must also identify verges which present a wildflower interest, or where this can be developed and time cutting and removal of cuttings for after the key species have flowered."
Newbury co-ordinator for Friends of the Earth, Adrian Foster-Fletcher, said: “Bee populations are under threat, and these insects are desperately needed to pollinate our crops.
“We welcome the initiatives that West Berkshire Council are taking to protect them. We would urge other landowners to do all they can to protect their wild flowers.”