Roadside grass cutting

Grass cutting on road verges is carried out by Roads Service for road safety reasons only and not for any other purpose.

What factors are taken into account?

When cutting grass verges, Roads Service has to balance the safety and convenience of road users with other factors such as:

• funds available for the task
• legal requirements regarding noxious weeds
• effects of the operation on the environment
• impact on flora and fauna and the fact that smaller species of wildlife rely on ground cover for their existence

How often will grass verges be cut?

Currently Roads Service carries out routine cutting up to twice a year in rural areas up to one swathe width (approximately 1.2m). In in urban areas, grass verges are cut up to five times a year across the full verge.

Grass on sight lines, at road junctions and bends is cut more frequently as required. The total length of verges to be cut in Northern Ireland is of the order of 45,000 km.

More useful links

• Cycling and walking
• The Highway Code (motoring section)
• Your local environment (environment and greener living section)