GREEN-fingered council chiefs are confident that No Mow May will be a success when introduced in Stratford district.
The scheme, which aims to create habitat and provide resources for bees and other early-season pollinators, will be introduced for the first time next month.
Grass cutting will be suspended on highway verges, council housing estates and the majority of the district’s parks and open spaces, while residents will also have the option to join in and let the grass grow in their own gardens in a bid to help wildlife flourish.
The scheme proved unpopular among many residents in neighbouring Warwick district when it was adopted for the first time last year.
Residents said at the time that not only had many parts of Warwick been left looking awful but the long grass had potentially dangerous consequences – posing a fire hazard and obscuring oncoming traffic at road junctions.
Other criticisms included that pavements became overgrown, with some of the tougher weeds becoming trip hazards, thistles and dandelions became more established and dandelion seeds were being blown onto residents lawns making them become weed infested.
Residents also pointed out that dog mess was either being left in the long grass or could not be found by the dog owners and large grass areas had become so overgrown that children could not play on them.
Warwick District Council’s grass cutting schedule was also set back significantly in June as it transpired their mowers were not able to cut effectively through the long grass.
But WDC hailed No Mow May a success saying many residents had supported the initiative and even took part themselves. They added that it was a significant gesture at a key time to improve the plight of nature.
A spokesperson for Stratford District Council told the Observer they were better equipped to make No Mow May a success.
The spokesperson continued:”It is a contractual requirement for ‘No Mow May’ to go ahead on highway verges (with a speed limit of 40mph or less). Some road junctions will continue to be cut to maintain sight lines and not restrict visibility for road users.
“The comparison with WDC is misleading as they use a different type of mower to cut long grass.”
No Mow May comes as part of a new five year grounds maintenance contract for the district.
Continental Landscapes Ltd will be maintaining all SDC owned parks and open spaces covering grassed areas, floral beds, shrub beds/herbaceous beds, hedge maintenance, tree watering, weed control and removal.
The contract also includes cleaning parks and play equipment maintenance, the maintenance of the paddling pool at the Recreation Ground, together with lifebuoys maintenance along the Avon in Stratford and also winter gritting.
