Chapel-en-le-Frith man slams council for cutting back wildflower verges

Shane Carrington, 25, told how last week Derbyshire County Council cut the native flowers behind barriers on the bypass between Aldi at Chapel and Bridgemont, Whaley Bridge.

Worryingly Shane told how the blooms - a crucial habitat for hundreds of insects and bees - were still not fully developed when they were removed, preventing them dropping seeds to grow again.

Though Shane said some of the species might flower again next summer he added if the council had waited until September they would have ensured a better crop in 2021.

Carer Shane said: “I understand in some cases they need to cut back every now and then for safety reasons but these weren’t causing any obstruction.

“If you cut wildflowers back before their peak they won’t have a chance to seed - which allows the grass to come up more and this causes the council more work in the long run.”

Shane told how Derbyshire Roads confirmed for him this week that the verges - and the wildflowers growing on them - would be cut back.

After approaching Derbyshire County Council about the works a spokesman told Shane their highways department was looking at ‘what we can improve for the future’ regarding ‘verge maintenance, wildflower schemes and biodiversity’.

However Shane says the wildflower verges are vital for the Peak District - where dry stone walls instead of hedgerows in other parts of the country leave insects with fewer habitats to flourish in.

He added: “There are over 700 species of wildflower that grow in verges at the side of the roads.

“What’s needed is a bit of knowledge about the flowering periods and when is the best time to cut them.

“It begins by making these small decisions to not cut verges and let nature get on with what it needs to do for the benefit of everyone.

“If we can't make small changes then we can't expect the big changes that will in the end make really positive differences to our lives.”

A spokesperson for Derbyshire County Council said: “We’re working in partnership with our district and borough council colleagues and with help from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and the Peak District National Park to maintain and create more wildflower friendly verges.

“We manage 37 of the most biodiverse road verges as part of a Road Verge Reserve network.

“We have just started a 12-month review of our grass cutting and will take on board comments such as those from Mr Carrington.

“Any changes that we do bring in have to be safe, practical and affordable.”

Find out more about the council’s work to help improve biodiversity on grass verges HERE.

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