Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance his Department gives to local authorities on (a) the number of times grass verges should be cut and (b) the quality of the cut; and if he will make a statement.

Local highway authorities have a duty under Section 41 of the Highways Act 1980 to maintain the highways network in their area. This includes the cutting of grass, verges, shrubs and trees. It is for each individual local highway authority to decide on the number of times that grass verges should be cut and the quality of the cut based upon their local knowledge and other circumstances including taking into account safety, environmental and conservation considerations.

The Department for Transport encourages good practice in highway maintenance through channels such as ‘Well-maintained Highways', the Code of Practice for highway maintenance by the UK Roads Liaison Group. It is available at the following weblink: www.ukroadsliaisongroup.org. The Code advises local authorities on a wide range of highways maintenance issues, including grass cutting and highway verge management. Central Government has no powers to override local decisions in these matters.