On the 22nd November, Bromley Council’s Environment Committee voted to approve two-year trial to allow wildflowers to grow on grass verges at selected locations across the borough.
The trial will see the Council’s parks contractor, Idverde, not cut the centre of the verges, instead letting the grass grow and for seeds to settle. It is hoped that this will lead to more wildflowers growing and will help improve the biodiversity in the area. The trial will last for two years to allow sufficient time for the seeds to settle. Contractors will still cut the outside of the verges, a procedure called “picture-framing” to ensure the verges are kept tidy.
The trial period will include notices at the sites informing people of why the verges have been allowed to grow and the aims of the plans. Residents in affected areas will also be written to and be invited to take part in a consultation on the trial.
Across the Beckenham constituency, the sites for the trial are:
- Copers Cope Road (Beckenham Town & Copers Cope Ward)
- Downs Hill and Ravensbourne Avenue (Beckenham Town & Copers Cope and Shortlands & Park Langley Wards)
- Pickhurst Lane and Pickhurst Mead (Hayes & Coney Hall and West Wickham Wards)
- Addington Road (Hayes & Coney Hall and West Wickham Wards)
Bromley Councils Executive Member for Sustainability, Green Services and Open Spaces, Councillor Aisha Cuthbert, said:
“We are committed to protecting and enhancing our beautiful green spaces across the borough. Which is why we are trailing this scheme. The verges will still be maintained to keep them tidy and demonstrate that these are no uncut verges but instead Nature Friendly verges, this is not a cost cutting measure but an attempt to really improve biodiversity across the borough.”
