Man who mowed roadside verge wildflower haven is urged to grass himself up

THE hunt is on for a man in a blue tractor who cut areas of wild grass and flowers which were part of a ‘Don’t Mow, Let It Grow’ project near Garvagh.

Environmentalists have spoken out after the grass on the Drumcroon Road was cut on July 11 despite a sign at the spot warning people not to.

It isn’t the first time this particular zone of wild flowers has been mown down since it was instigated in 2013. It was also cut last year.

Don’t Mow, Let It Grow is a project that focuses on the conservation of semi-natural grassland on road verges and amenity grasslands across the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council area.

It is supported by the council in partnership with Transport NI and NIEA.

A spokeswoman for the pro- ject said: “This very early cut will have a detrimental effect on the verge, through cutting the flowers and grasses before they have had time to set seed, and to the insect life which will be unable to complete their life cycles and are now homeless.”

DUP councillor Michelle Knight-McQuillan urged the person responsible to come forward.

“There must be a reason why the individual cut the grass, but until they come forward and explain why, then we have no idea what the problem is,” she said.

“If they want to keep low-key about it, they can contact any public representative and we can discuss it on their behalf.

“There are other zones in the council area that never have any problems.”