Grass cutting & other news from WC

Published: 25 March 2024

22 March 2024

Find out more about grass cutting, which starts this month

Our annual grass cutting schedule in urban areas has begun this month, with monthly cuts now scheduled from March until October in most amenity areas maintained by the council.

The cutting programme, which is managed by our contractor idverde, focuses on maintaining amenity areas around the county by cutting them every month. However, in some areas, which have been selected in consultation with local communities, we look to promote biodiversity and encourage pollinators by leaving these areas uncut as wildflower meadows. These initiatives allow plants to flower and seed, providing a food source for insects and other wildlife. The areas that are left uncut are reviewed on an annual basis.

While amenity grass cutting begins this month, on rural highways we start cutting visibility splays on junctions and some bends, plus along some particularly narrow lanes, from May and then throughout the summer. The remaining verges are left uncut until September, which enables wildflowers to set seed and spread more widely in the verge.

We recognise that some people like grass to be cut neatly, while others prefer to let it grow to encourage wildlife, so while it is not possible to please everyone, we try our best to manage these differing views.

Please note that the grass cutting schedule during the next few months will be challenging because of the extremely wet weather we have experienced, but our teams are working hard to balance safety and the need to support biodiversity in Wiltshire.

We do not cut grass in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Pewsey, Devizes, Bradford on Avon or Salisbury, where it is the responsibility of the parish, town or city council.

To report areas that need grass cutting, go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk/mywilts.

What does work or business after the pandemic look like to you? Take part in a free workshop!

We're working in partnership with the University of the West of England and want to hear from you as part of a study on the impact of COVID‐19 on patterns of working and rural enterprise in Wiltshire. The project aims to improve businesses and job opportunities in Wiltshire by improving the performance of rural enterprise to build more resilient communities.

Join us for refreshments at a face-to-face event or talk to us online! Meet other colleagues and explore challenges and possible opportunities around some of the key areas we've identified so far: labour and employment, skills development, planning and infrastructure, communication networks and community connections.

The events are:

Wednesday 17 April, 8am-10am, online
Wednesday 17 April, 4pm-6pm, online
Thursday 25 April, midday-2pm, online
Wednesday 8 May, midday-2pm, Old Fire Station Enterprise Centre, 2 Salt Lane, Salisbury SP1 1DU
Thursday 9 May, 4pm-6pm, Digital Mansion Corsham, Pickwick Road, Corsham SN13 9BL

Book an online or face to face place now

We're working with town councils to develop projects to improve town centres

We're working in partnership with town councils around the county to develop projects that will attract more visitors to town centres. The projects look to create wider town centre visions that will bring a range of improvements, improving vibrancy and enhancing the local economy.

The project starts with a regeneration scheme in Westbury, where both Wiltshire Council and Westbury Town Council are developing a scheme for a future funding bid that will look to improve the town’s library, high street and the surrounding areas.

More information about the projects to improve town centres

Vacant Commercial Units Fund schemes

As part of our programme to showcase those businesses who have brought back into use a vacant unit in Trowbridge town centre using funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund, we would like to introduce The Screening Room, a boutique cinema and bar in the basement of Parade House.

Watch a video of the owners, Simon and Carey Tesler, as they share their vision and passion for running a business in Trowbridge www.wiltshire.gov.uk/vacant-commercial-units-fund.

We would be grateful if you would consider sharing some of these showcases with your communities to encourage a wider interest in the new grant scheme, meaning the funding is ultimately spread across as many Wiltshire town centres as possible benefitting businesses, residents and visitors to the area.

Grants are worth up to £10,000 and the deadline for applications is 14 June.

More information and how to apply for the current grant scheme

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