Cllr Peter Finney, cabinet member of environment and the economy, said: “We have to balance timing the cuts with keeping verges tidy and safe for road users. In our towns a neater edge is preferred, where on rural roads we can encourage a more natural approach.
“There is a long term plan to form a ‘Living Verges’ partnership – working with the Dorset Wildlife Trust, parish and town councils to change the way highway vegetation is managed. We want to make it make it both more environmentally friendly and financially sustainable, but in the meantime the cabinet recognise that we need to do more to respond to the concerns of communities.”
The Living Verges partnership will trial new ways of managing roadside plants and flowers including using clippings for animal feed or as fuel for renewable energy.
Community involvement is also part of the plan with better ways for responding to queries and complaints.
