While walking around Petersfield in mid-May this year, you might have been wondering what ever happened to Plantlife's successful campaign, No Mow May? The initiative was a direct response to the alarming loss of biodiversity that was recorded back in 2018, insect life in particular.
Over the past eight years PeCAN has been putting pressure on East Hampshire District Council (EHDC), via officers and Councillors, and on occasion even approached Norse, who hold the grass-cutting contract with EHDC. We have also challenged Hampshire County Council (HCC) and Hampshire Highways regarding mowing and pesticide spraying. EHDC did, for some years, appear to conduct 'relaxed mowing', though Norse, their contractor, never operated "cut & collect", which is essential management for wildflower areas.
However, this year, radical mowing took place in the middle of May across much of Petersfield. Almost all our verges were mowed, some Highways ones, and others in residential areas. PeCAN has not received an official response to our question. It could well be that our wet spring followed by some warmth caused verges to grow thick and fast and perhaps our councils simply panicked?
Many of the verges mowed in Petersfield, eg. along Tor Way and Moggs Mead, posed no danger to motorists. To cap it all, a beautiful verge at the side of the EHDC central CP, ie. not even a road-verge, was completely mowed off when it was in full flower with around 15 species of pollinator plants and grasses.
PeCAN wrote to EHDC's Principal Ecologist, Julia Nethercott, to find out what went wrong this year and what the future holds for nature recovery in our area. We referred to the legal obligation local authorities have to restore nature and to come up with Nature Recovery Strategies. These are excerpts from her reply:
I can understand your frustration, particularly where areas supporting a diverse range of flowering plants appear to have been cut during the peak growing season. As you note, it is well recognised that roadside verges can provide valuable habitat for pollinators and other wildlife, and their management can make an important contribution to local biodiversity.
As you might already appreciate, responsibility for verge management varies across Petersfield. Some verges form part of the public highway and are managed by Hampshire County Council as Highway Authority, whilst others may be managed by East Hampshire District Council, Petersfield Town Council, housing providers or private landowners. As a result, different mowing regimes and objectives may apply across the town.
With regard to the specific areas you mention, I have passed your concerns to the relevant officers so that they can advise further on the management arrangements for the locations identified. I have also been in contact with officers because this whole subject area does require a thought-out, strategic approach so that we can bottom out what we can and can’t do under any mowing contracts EHDC are responsible for, and where we could apply a more relaxed mowing regime. I know this has been looked at before but I think it needs to be a project in its own right and as mentioned considered strategically.
Thank you for raising this issue. The photographs and observations you have provided will help me with those conversations to illustrate the local concerns.
I agree this is an important issue.
Julia Nethercott
During the past nine years, councils across the country have joined the Plantlife campaign No Mow May, in a bid to help restore some of our appalling biodiversity record. PeCAN will continue to work with councils in Petersfield. Of course, our gardens are super-important for wildlife and we can all take part in the important drive to increase biodiversity, by letting weeds grow and by not using chemicals in our own gardens. Check out our webpage to get you started. For inspiration, see this garden in Moggs Mead!
Plantlife says, No Mow May is one of the easiest ways in which to help the environment. Just let wildflowers like daisies, dandelions and clovers grow while supporting bees and butterflies.
You can add your garden to the No Mow May Pledge and have a look at the No Mow Movement Calendar.