OnTheWight reader, Dave Jones, got in touch last week saying,
“A few years ago I seem to remember the IW Council agreeing to a policy of only cutting back verges where necessary and then only when wild flowers had had time to flower and seed.
“I notice that all of the verges between Chillerton and Newport, both along the Whitcombe Road and Blackwater Shute/Highwood Lane have been cut throughout the entire length.
“Not only is this a waste of money but also amounts to vandalism, in my opinion, at a time when we are losing essential services due to the Council’s shortage of money!”
We got in touch with the Council to find out what the outcome of their discussions with Island Roads was.
Preserving wildlife habitat without impacting road safety
Cllr Phil Jordan, Isle of Wight Council Executive member responsible for the Highways PFI, said,
“Both the council and Island Roads are of the opinion that the horticultural practices carried out as part of the PFI contract should be undertaken in such a way that they preserve the habitat for wildlife on sections of the rural network without impacting on road safety.
“Since Atkins was brought in to assist with the PFI contract, this is one area which is being reviewed with the intention of continuing the work to develop a new process.
“In the meantime the council is working with Island Roads to ensure rural verges are maintained.”
