I HAVE been increasingly upset for the last few years at Devon County Council's programme of verge cutting in the Mid Devon area.

Living near Cheriton Fitzpaine I regularly travel the A3072 from Coffin Tree Cross to Crediton and every year, without fail, the council strip the verges along this section, of the wildflower cover with indiscriminate cutting during the last two weeks in May, when the wild flowers are coming into their own.

Among the loss of a number of species of other flowers this is resulting in a noticeable decrease in the number of orchids that grow at certain spots along this route, as they do not have time to set seed before they are chopped down.

I would like to hear from any other members of the public who are concerned about this policy and of any other areas of roadside verge they have noticed that are sensitive and need to be cut more carefully later in the year.

It is my intention to contact the relevant authorities at DCC to see if we can alter their approach, but I would appreciate a fuller picture of the damage being done currently on other routes before I do so, as well of knowing of other people who would be prepared to support the cause of petitioning DCC for a revised verge cutting regime.

Please contact me by email: [email protected]">[email protected] as soon as possible or get in contact via the Courier.

Paula Mossman

by email