Hundreds call on the council to let the grass grow
A HUNDREDS of people are calling to let the grass grow longer on Cardiff’s verges, roundabouts, parks, and cemeteries, to support biodiversity.
A petition and open letter to Cardiff council said mowing less often would let wildflowers bloom, helping bees, butterflies and bats.
Green Squirrel, a community interest company, wrote the open letter signed by 295 Cardiff residents.
The letter called for signs explaining the changes; support for schools and businesses for them to also mow less; and to let Keep Tidy groups pick litter on grass before any mowing takes place, avoiding rubbish getting shredded and becoming harder to pick.
The letter also said mowing less would save money and reduce carbon emissions.
It stated: “When verges are cut early in spring – most flowers just don’t stand a chance. They never bloom and never become a food source for bees, butterflies, bats and other wildlife.
“Many councils are making clear changes to the way they manage verges, roundabouts, cemeteries, and parks for the benefit of wildlife and people. Yet here in Cardiff we see and hear the mowers out and about already, despite the coronavirus crisis.”
Councillor Peter Bradbury, cabinet member for culture and leisure, responded to the calls to mow the grass less often, saying the council will look at where would be best to let wildflowers grow.
The council asked analysts to find where planting trees and cutting the grass less would most benefit ecosystems, but Cllr Bradbury disagreed with a blanket change across all of the parks in green spaces in Cardiff.
However, he said more ‘pollinator areas’ will be added each year, after consulting communities.
Cllr Bradbury said: “The current footprint of our native meadows, pollinator friendly and one-cut regime sites is in the region of 24.5 hectares - equivalent to the area of sixty senior football pitches.
“This season will see a further 18 sites, or parts of, approximately nine hectares being added to our one-cut regime, allowing areas to thrive naturally.
“Indeed it is my ambition subject to careful site selection and community consultation to increase the number of pollinator areas year on year.”