CALLS have been made for council workers to reduce grass cutting on roadside verges across South Lakeland.

The plea for more areas to be ‘re-wilded’ was made by county councillors who argued it would help wildlife and save money.

But there were warnings that some verges need to be kept trimmed to help visibility for motorists with concerns it could make some areas unsafe.

Cllr Chris Hogg said there was a ‘growing campaign’ not to cut roadside verges as often, with the Rotherham area leading the way.

“It’s done for biodiversity reasons and we should leave them and in fact, plant them as well. It’s been very successful and has saved councils an awful lot of money, and has been very beautiful as well,” said Cllr Hogg, the Liberal Democrat member for Kendal Castle.

Cllr Hogg called for an ‘experiment’ to take place to see the public reaction. Areas not wanting to take part could opt out, he said.

Cllr James Airey, the Conservative for Ulverston West, backed calls for a review. He said: “Some areas don’t even need touching at all so we end up getting a cost-saving. But Brettargh Holt roundabout was left too long and it became dangerous.”

Cllr Jim Bland claimed many verges in the Lyth Valley had not been cut this summer, apart from those at junctions – despite it being nearly August.

“I have seen very little verge cutting done,” said Cllr Bland, the Conservative councillor for the area.

But Peter Hosking, highways network manager, said a ‘considerable amount’ of highways maintenance had taken place across the area.

He said the county council already had a policy to reduce verge cutting to allow flora and fauna to flourish.

“We don’t cut everything lots of times throughout the year. The cuts are staggered. In years where it is fast-growing – such as this year – the verges do grow back quickly after they’ve been cut,” Mr Hosking pointed out.

Cllr Stan Collins said Cumbria introduced ‘staggered’ cuttings around 20 years ago to help biodiversity.

“You need to make sure saplings don’t start growing because if they do, they start messing up the drains and that can get very expensive,” said Cllr Collins, the Lib Dem for Upper Kent.

The issue was discussed at a meeting of South Lakeland local committee.

Chairman Nick Cotton told members: “We must never compromise public safety – that’s important.