road verges on rural roads - NERC Open Research Archive ...

CHAPTER 2. REASONS FOR MANAGEMENT
Chadwick (1969) at the London symposium on Road Verges gave the following
requirements for a verge maintenance policy:
"(a) to enstre the proper surface water drainage of the highway;
(b) to provide a footwalk or refuge for pedestrians (not necessarily
paved) ;
(c) to prevent obstruction by overhanging trees or hedges, both within
the width of the highway and for visibility;
(d) to provide visibility at bends and junctions;
(e) to control those weeks listed in the Weeds Act, 1959;
(f) to preserve and where possible to improve the amenities of the <strong>road</strong>
and the adjoining countryside."
Underwood (1969) at the same symposium gave the following engineering
functions of a verge management policy:
"(a) to maintain the stability of the <strong>road</strong> structure, that is by ensuring
that slopes and cuttings are not subjected to erosion or "slips". To
prevent vegetation from encroaching on the carriageway or obscuring
kerb lines and interfering with passing pedestrians and vehicles;
(b) to provide adequate visibility at bends and junctions;
(c) to allow light and air to the <strong>road</strong> surface thus avoiding deterioration
from continuous dampness, and preventing icy conditions during periods
of sub-zero degree (C) temperature in the winter."
The report of the (~arshall) Committee on Highway Maintenance (~non, 19701, under
the heading of Amenity Functions, states that the object of grass, tree and hedge
cutting is "to prevent obstructions of sight lines at bends and traffic signs, to
inhibit the growth of injurious and other weeds (in accordance with the Weeds
Act 1959), to maintain a tidy appearance and, in the case of trees adjoining
<strong>road</strong>s, to prevent them becoming a danger to <strong>road</strong> users". The Co~mnittee report
goes on to discuss briefly some of the factors affecting standards of grass
cutting and mentions the interest of conservation organisations in respect of
wildlife.
In the 1972 survey, Highway Department officers visited were asked to
give the reasons for management of <strong>road</strong>side <strong>verges</strong> as practised by their County
Council, in order of priority if possible. The results of this enquiry are shown
in Table 3; the reasons should be taken in most instances as referring specifically
to the mowing of <strong>road</strong>side grass.