1000 want the grass cut less
Over 1000 people have signed a petition asking Perth and Kinross Council to stop cutting the grass across the region as much.
Campaigners say that cutting the grass later in the year, cutting it less and timing the cuts carefully would save money, reduce emissions, protect food security and support declining insect populations.
They say the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in wildlife “thriving” in the region.
The petition states: “There’s a huge variety of flowers and grasses, and the bees, butterflies and other pollinators are returning in great numbers.
“Not only that, the flower-filled verges look attractive and colourful, and are a great place for kids to learn about nature.”
It adds: “The countryside is often less hospitable to pollinators than urban areas due to agricultural production and research shows that bees are now heading in to towns attracted by the flowers in our gardens.
“If the bees are clever enough to adapt to changing circumstances, then we should be clever enough to help them.”
Finally, the petition calls on the council to: “Please manage grasslands to encourage floral diversity. Cut the grass later, cut it less and time the cuts carefully. Let the flowers grow and the bees flourish.”
Alan Ross, from Blairgowrie, was among those who signed the petition.
He said: “Wild flowers provide a valuable source of food for bees emerging from hibernation – dandelions for example, often regarded as a weed, are an important source of early nectar offering a lifeline for hungry pollinators.
“Studies show that 40 per cent of insect species face extinction. The implications of continued insect declines just don’t bear thinking about, not least – the cascading effect of vanishing food resources across the planet and the acceleration of irreversible global warming.
“Without the ecoservices insects provide, we are in trouble. It is estimated that up a third of our food requires insect pollination – Perthshire’s soft fruit production is unsustainable without this.”
Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor, Caroline Shiers, said that she hoped PKC could be at the “forefront” of a national debate on the issue.
She explained: “This spring the verge near my home, on a minor road, was not cut and was abundant with wild flowers and insects. Being at home I was able to enjoy seeing this whilst out walking. I became much more aware of the habitat that these verges provide.
“However, there are real issues surrounding visibility and especially junctions. I would support the council looking again at our policies to see if we can strike a balance and perhaps reduce the amount of cuts being completed across the growing season whilst maintaining road safety.”
A spokesperson for Perth and Kinross Council said: “Our maintenance regime is designed to balance public safety and wildlife. We only carry out one cut on verges outside towns and villages each year, which is done mid-season to avoid the flowering spring months, although additional cuts may be done at junctions where reduced visibility is a safety concern. We also only cut one mower-width, which is the minimum required.
“We cut amenity areas along roads with settlements more frequently and are reviewing maintenance levels at a range of sites to see would be possible to leave uncut, subject to local consultation.”
To view the petition, go to www.change. org/p/perth-kinross-council-keep-thewildflowers-of-perthshire-blooming-andsave-pollinating-insects