100 signatures reached
To: Local Councils, Highways agency, MPs
Stop Starving our Bees
Stop starving our bees through the unnecessary cutting of grass verges
Why is this important?
Last November, Liz Truss the Environment Secretary launched the Pollinator Strategy with its aim of protecting pollinating insects which support our food production and the diversity of our environment.
As I'm sure you're already aware, bees numbers are in serious decline and action needs to be taken now. This strategy sets out a 10 year plan to help pollinating insects survive and thrive.
One of the main reasons our bees are in decline is the loss of suitable food sources and a home. Councils across the UK are ignoring the letter and spirit of the pollinator strategy and continue to blindly cut roadside verges which do not need cutting for road safety purposes.
It's time to ask all UK councils, the Highways Agency and businesses etc which have grass verges and grassland on site to do their bit to support the spirit of the Pollinator's strategy.
The lack of suitable food for pollinators is a huge issue and our bees are starving because of our obsession with tidiness. If this strategy is adopted it would make a huge difference to the lives of bees and other pollinators across the UK before it is too late.
We acknowledge that safety must come first on our roads but with the size of most road verges there should be no conflict between this and conservation. For many verges a regular annual late summer cut and removal of mowings will keep the verge open, safe and thriving with interesting wildlife. We also agree that certain verges must be cut regularly cut to maintain clear lines of visibility – this is particularly crucial at junctions where a ‘visibility splay’ has to be maintained at all times. On some busy roads this also applies to the first metre from the edge of the carriageway.
Further information can be found at:
Please ask your local council to adopt the Pollinator strategy for managing road verges to benefit wild flowers and other nature. Priorities for safety and access, along with budget constraints and difficulties with the collection of litter and grass clippings can mean that enhancing their wildlife value is often low on the list. But we believe that the adoption of a few basic principles will improve our verges for nature, bringing benefits for wildlife, for us and for future generations.
