Welsh council extends 'No Mow May' to the entire summer and people are not impressed
Welsh council extends 'No Mow May' to the entire summer and people are not impressed
The next time some areas in the city will be mowed is September
The continuation of this initiative aims to help wildlife thriv
(Image: Getty Images )
Cardiff City Council has announced they will not be mowing grassland in 144 sites across the city all summer, as an extension of their "No Mow May" campaign. The continuation of this initiative aims to help wildlife thrive, after it was discovered that approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows have been lost since the 1930s, and with them, vital food and habitat needed by wildlife.
Cardiff Council joined the campaign for the month of May this year, and has now announced it will be extending this practice until the end of the summer.
A spokesperson for Cardiff Council said: "To help support nature there will be no mow until September again this year at 144 different sites across the whole city, covering an area of grass the size of 272 football pitches."
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A spokesperson for Natural Resources Wales said: "Across Wales, the hum of lawnmowers is being replaced by the gentle buzz of bees.
"We're once again joining the Plantlife Cymru 'No Mow May' campaign by stopping non-essential mowing on the land we manage.
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"This will allow spring plants to set seed and grow to provide nectar and pollen for pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.
"There are things we can all do to make it easier for pollinators to survive. These can be relatively simple, such as managing grass verges in a more sensitive way, or leaving wild areas around our homes, offices and public buildings."
'Leaving the grass to grow throughout the summer has a really positive impact on local ecosystems,' said Cabinet Member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke.
"We're seeing areas that used to be just grass, buttercups, daisies and dandelions flourish, and they are now home to more insects like butterflies and bees, as well as a much wider range of plant species including red clover, cuckoo flower, goatsbeard and even waxcap fungi.'
Though the announcement by Cardiff Council has been met with concerns by local residents, who are questioning the safety of the decision, as well as the true motive.
Beverley Venn said: "What about on roundabouts and coming out of some junctions around Cardiff?"
This was echoed by Spencer Thompson's claim that this is "dangerous around junctions and roundabouts."
Others say they are beginning to wonder if this campaign truly is for the sole reason of allowing insects and other wildlife to prosper, and not to simply save the council some money.
Gavin Chapman said: "Or is because you're trying to save money? It makes the city look scruffy"
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Gary Greatrex said: "But the council is planning to build houses on fields used for recreation... it'll be sod the wildlife then though."
More than 100 commenters posted similar remarks underneath the council's announcement, with some even asking if the money they are saving from not mowing the grass could be taken off their council tax bills.
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