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A councillor who called for a review into the council’s grass cutting policy has said he is “encouraged” by the measures being taken – but insisted “there is a very long way to go”.

Plaid Cymru’s Colin Mann, who represents the Llanbradach ward, last month called on Caerphilly County Borough Council to do more to boost biodiversity.

He wrote to council officials to complain about “unnecessary” grass cutting – calling for more to be done to promote diverse vegetation and encourage bees, butterflies and other wildlife.

When lockdown restrictions were imposed in March 2020, grass cutting services in Caerphilly County Borough were paused. As a result, new wildlife habitats were created and nature blossomed.

When grass cutting resumed in the summer of 2020, it was limited to dual carriageways – with the council only cutting the grass up to one metre from the kerb, leaving the rest untouched.

Last December, senior councillors approved plans for this regime to be implemented as the norm.

However, in his letter, Cllr Mann said: “In some areas, there seems to have been an attempt to allow grass to grow and thus create more diverse vegetation which, of course, encourages pollinators and other wildlife. In other areas there has been wide road verges regularly mowed which does not seem to have a justification or connection with road safety.”

Responding to the letter, Rob Hartshorn, the council’s Head of Public Protection, said a report would go to the council’s Environment and Sustainability scrutiny committee in February, before going to the cabinet “with a view to getting more formal endorsement for changes to our approach ahead of next year’s grass-cutting season”.

Mr Hartshorn also confirmed grass on the bypasses are cut twice a year – in May and September. He said: “The first cut we only cut a one-metre swathe to keep visibility splays/sight lines clear and promote wild flora and fauna. We cut it all back in September following seed dispersal for the areas to regenerate the following season.”

He added: “As you appreciate, we have a duty to maintain sight lines and also crash barriers on the bypasses. Also to bear in mind that cutting around lamp columns, clearing site lines for road signs, tree works, and also cleansing operations are carried out at the same time so the cost is not just for grass cutting.”

Cllr Mann said: “There are great opportunities for the authority to show the way forward with a policy creating more diverse vegetation to encourage bees, butterflies and other wildlife. Things are heading in the right direction but there is a very long way to go.

“I do appreciate that some residents may have concerns about, for instance, long grass not being cut. But to counter that the council needs to explain through a public education exercise the enormous benefits of greater biodiversity for a better environment. I’m sure everyone would support that.”

In 2019, the council passed a Climate Emergency motion.

A council spokesperson previously told Caerphilly Observer the authority was working hard to “strike a balance” between keeping the borough tidy and promoting biodiversity.