Our aim

During the growing season, we carry out a number of environmental maintenance operations to help keep all road users safe.

Our aim is to:

• preserve visibility sight lines at junctions and bends
• provide a safe area for pedestrians if there is no footway
• protect wildlife on roadside verges, where this does not conflict with safety requirements

Grass cutting

Highway verges are cut to a minimum of one metre in width from the roadside to provide a safe area for pedestrians, preserve visibility and help the flow of surface water along road channels. Visibility sight lines are also cut on bends and near road signs.

Each highway verge, including junction visibilities, will be cut once during this season, except on the ‘A’ and ‘B’ networks where the road verge and junction visibilities are cut twice.

In certain areas, particularly urban housing estates, grass-cutting may be carried out by parish or town councils.

Our grass-cutting programme commences in May and is complete by September, depending on the seasonal growing conditions. The busiest routes are cut first because of the higher volumes of traffic.

When is work happening?

1st cut – A and B roads (including junction visibility splays and sight lines)

  • 7 May 2024 to 2 June 2024 (dependent on rate of growth) 3 to 4 weeks.

C roads and unclassified roads (including junction visibility splays and sight lines)

  • 3 June 2024 to 28 July 2024 (dependent on rate of growth) 8 weeks.

2nd cut – A and B roads (including junction visibility splays and sight lines)

  • 29 July 2024 to 25 August 2024 (dependent on rate of growth) 3 to 4 weeks.

Environmentally protected sites

  • Late August or early September (dependent on rate of growth) 1 week.

Please note the dates listed above may be subject to change due to weather or any unforeseen events.

You can see which locations are included on our live map.

This is a preview version of our new maps that allow us to share our works as they happen.  We are aware they may be some display issues when using this map please bear with us while we work to improve these maps.

You can also find a list of routes on the lists below.

A and B roads – order of works

Mendip – A and B roads

  1. B3092 Frome to Maiden Bradley
  2. A362 Frome to Corsley
  3. A361 Frome Bypass to Boundary
  4. A3098 Chapmanslade
  5. B3109 Wingfield
  6. A366 Terry Hill to Boundary
  7. B3110 Norton St Phillip
  8. B3139 Kilmerston to A37
  9. A367 Stratton on Fosse to A37
  10. B3355 Chilcompton
  11. B3356 Junction A367 to Chilcompton
  12. A37 Lydford to A39 Junction Rush Hill
  13. A39 Glastonbury to Walton
  14. B3114 Litton
  15. B3135 Glastonbury to Westhay
  16. B3134 Burrington
  17. A371 Castle Cary to Shepton Mallet
  18. B3151 Glastonbury to Meare
  19. B3153 Lydford to Castle Cary
  20. A361 Frome to Glastonbury
  21. B3371 Yoxter
  22. B3135 Junction A37 to Cheddar
  23. A39 Glastonbury to Boundary
  24. A371 Shepton Mallet to Cheddar
  25. B3134 Burrington Junction
  26. B3135 Miner’s Arms Cross Rds
  27. A362 Frome to Radstock

Sedgemoor – A and B roads

  1. A371 Draycott A371 to Axbridge
  2. A38 Rooksbridge
  3. A370 East Brent to Highbridge
  4. A39 Bridgwater Road
  5. A361 Taunton Road
  6. A38 Dunball Road
  7. A39 Cannington
  8. A372 Westonzoyland
  9. A38 North Petherton
  10. B3139 Wedmore
  11. B3151 Meare Road
  12. B3141 Woolavington

South Somerset – A and B roads

  1. B3168 Ilminster to Curry Rivel
  2. A378 Langport to Fivehead
  3. A372 Aller to Podimore
  4. B3153 Langport to Keinton Mandeville
  5. B3151 Compton Dundon to Ilchester
  6. B3151 Yeovilton
  7. B3165 Somerton to Martock
  8. A356 Martock to Crewkerne
  9. A30 Yeovil to Chard boundary
  10. A3066 Haselbury Plucknett
  11. A356 South of Crewkerne
  12. B3165 South of Crewkerne
  13. B3167 Perry Street to Cricket St Thomas
  14. B3162 Winsham
  15. A359 Yeovil to Bruton
  16. B3148 Marston Magna
  17. B3153 Lovington
  18. B3081 Bruton to Leigh Common
  19. B3081 Wincanton
  20. A371 Castle Cary to Templecombe
  21. B3081 South of Wincanton
  22. B3145 Charlton Horethorne
  23. A30 Henstridge
  24. A358 Ashill
  25. A3088 Cartgate Link
  26. A37 Yeovil
  27. A358 Ilminster to Tatworth
  28. A37 Lydford
  29. A37 Dorchester Rd
  30. A357 Templecombe

Taunton Deane – A and B roads

  1. B3170 Honiton Road
  2. A38 Wellington Relief Road to Chelston
  3. B3187 Chelston RB to Wellington
  4. A38 Chelston RB to Stone Gallows
  5. B3187 Tonedale to Milverton
  6. B3227 Venns Cross to Milverton
  7. B3188 Elworthy to Wiveliscombe
  8. B3227 Milverton to Norton Fitzwarren
  9. A3065 Silk Mills
  10. B3227 Norton to Cross Keys
  11. A358 Cross Keys to Staplegrove PO
  12. A358 Minehead Road
  13. B3224 Cedar Falls to Willett Hill
  14. A3259 Priorswood to Monkton Elm
  15. A38 Bridgwater Road to Monkton Elm
  16. A361 Durston to Lyng
  17. A358 Henlade to Ilminster RB
  18. A378 Thornfalcon to Fivehead

West Somerset – A and B roads

  1. Alcombe to Dunster, Red Post to Williton
  2. Dunster to Carhampton, Red Post to Williton
  3. Carhampton to Bilbrook, Williton to Nether Stowey
  4. Bilbrook to Washford Cross, Nether Stowey to Williton, Washford Cross to Williton
  5. Washford Cross to Watchet, Watchet to Williton, Washford Cross to Fair Cross
  6. Washford Cross to Elworthy Cross, Elworthy Cross to Willett Hill, Elworthy Cross to Pittford Hill
  7. Elworthy Cross to Raleighs Cross, Fair Cross to Raleighs Cross
  8. Alcombe to Porlock, Porlock to Porlock Weir
  9. Dunster to Wheddon Cross, Blue Anchor to Watchet
  10. Wheddon Cross to Dulverton
  11. Dulverton to Riphay
  12. Dulverton to White Cross
  13. Wheddon Cross to Exford, Exford to Simonsbath, Simonsbath to Brendon Two Gates
  14. Simonsbath to Pinkery Boundary
  15. Raleighs Cross to Frogwell Cross
  16. Raleighs Cross to Wheddon Cross, Porlock to County Gate, Washford Roundabout (Additional)

Minor roads – order of works

Mendip – Minor roads

  1. Pilton
  2. Pylle
  3. East Pennard
  4. West Pennard
  5. North Wootton
  6. Walton
  7. Street
  8. Glastonbury
  9. Butleigh
  10. Baltonsborough
  11. West Bradley
  12. Lydford On Fosse
  13. Lamyat
  14. Ditcheat
  15. Sharpham
  16. Godney
  17. Meare
  18. Ston Easton
  19. Chilcompton
  20. Ashwick
  21. Emborough
  22. Stoke St Michael
  23. Stratton On The Fosse
  24. Binegar
  25. Doulting
  26. Downhead
  27. Cranmore
  28. Evercreech
  29. Milton Clevedon
  30. Shepton Mallet
  31. Batcombe
  32. Upton Noble
  33. Wanstrow
  34. Witham Friary
  35. Trudoxhill
  36. Nunney
  37. Rodney Stoke
  38. Westbury
  39. St Cuthbert Out
  40. Wells
  41. Wookey
  42. Priddy
  43. Litton
  44. Chewton Mendip
  45. Croscombe
  46. Leigh On Mendip
  47. Whatley
  48. Mells
  49. Great Elm
  50. Coleford
  51. Holcombe
  52. Kilmersdon
  53. Buckland Dinham
  54. Hemington
  55. Lullington
  56. Norton St Phillip
  57. Tellisford
  58. Beckington
  59. Berkley
  60. Selwood
  61. Frome
  62. Rode

Sedgemoor – Minor roads

  1. Shipham
  2. Axbridge
  3. Draycott
  4. Cheddar
  5. Compton Bishop
  6. Chapel Allerton
  7. Badgworth
  8. East Brent
  9. Lympsham
  10. Brean
  11. Berrow
  12. Brent Knoll
  13. Burnham Without
  14. Burnham and Highbridge
  15. West Huntspill
  16. Pawlett
  17. East Huntspill
  18. Mark
  19. Weare
  20. Burtle
  21. Wedmore
  22. Ashcott
  23. Shapwick
  24. Catcott
  25. Edington
  26. Chilton Polden
  27. Cossington
  28. Woolavington
  29. Puriton
  30. Bawdrip
  31. Chedzoy
  32. Stawell
  33. Greinton
  34. Moorlinch
  35. Middlezoy
  36. Westonzoyland
  37. Othery
  38. Lyng
  39. North Newton
  40. Thurloxton
  41. North Petherton
  42. Bridgwater Without
  43. Durleigh
  44. Cannington
  45. Otterhampton
  46. Stockland Bristol
  47. Fiddington
  48. Nether Stowey
  49. Over Stowey
  50. Spaxton
  51. Enmore
  52. Broomfield
  53. Goathurst
  54. Wembdon
  55. Chilton Trinity

South Somerset – Minor roads

  1. Aller
  2. Curry Rivel
  3. Fivehead
  4. Curry Mallet
  5. Beercrocombe
  6. Ilton
  7. Isle Brewers
  8. Isle Abbotts
  9. Puckington
  10. Stocklinch
  11. Barrington
  12. Hambridge and Westport
  13. Drayton
  14. Langport
  15. High Ham
  16. Pitney
  17. Huish Episcopi
  18. Muchelney
  19. Kingsbury Episcopi
  20. Martock
  21. South Petherton
  22. Seavington St Mary
  23. Shepton Beauchamp
  24. Seavington St Michael
  25. Lopen
  26. Norton Sub Hamdon
  27. Montacute
  28. Ash
  29. Tintinhull
  30. Chilthorne Domer
  31. Long Load
  32. Long Sutton
  33. Compton Dundon
  34. Somerton
  35. Stoke Sub Hamdon
  36. Brewham
  37. Bratton Seymour
  38. Shepton Montague
  39. Charlton Musgrove
  40. Pen Selwood
  41. Stoke Trister
  42. Cucklington
  43. Henstridge
  44. Abbas and Templecombe
  45. Horsington
  46. North Cheriton
  47. Wincanton
  48. Milborne Port
  49. Holton
  50. Maperton
  51. Compton Pauncefoot
  52. Charlton Horethorne
  53. Yarlington
  54. Corton Denham
  55. North Cadbury
  56. South Cadbury
  57. Sparkford
  58. Rimpton
  59. Marston Magna
  60. West Camel
  61. Queen Camel
  62. Mudford
  63. Chilton Cantelo
  64. Yeovilton
  65. Limington
  66. Ilchester
  67. Kingsdon
  68. Charlton Mackrell
  69. Kingweston
  70. Barton St David
  71. Keinton Mandeville
  72. Babcary
  73. North Barrow
  74. South Barrow
  75. Lovington
  76. Castle Cary
  77. Alford
  78. Ansford
  79. Pitcombe
  80. Bruton
  81. Barwick
  82. Brympton
  83. Closworth
  84. East Coker
  85. West Coker
  86. Hardington Mandeville
  87. Odcombe
  88. Yeovil Without
  89. Whitelackington
  90. Ashill
  91. Broadway
  92. Buckland St Mary
  93. Combe St Nicholas
  94. Whitestaunton
  95. Wambrook
  96. Horton
  97. Donyatt
  98. Ilminster
  99. Kingstone
  100. Dowlish Wake
  101. Knowle St Giles
  102. Chard Town
  103. Chaffcombe
  104. Tatworth And Forton
  105. Cricket St Thomas
  106. Cudworth
  107. Chillington
  108. Dinnington
  109. Hinton St George
  110. Chiselborough
  111. East Chinnock
  112. West Chinnock
  113. Merriott
  114. Crewkerne
  115. West Crewkerne
  116. Haselbury Plucknett
  117. North Perrott
  118. Misterton
  119. Wayford
  120. Winsham

Taunton Deane – Minor roads

  1. Burrowbridge
  2. Creech St Michael
  3. Durston
  4. Hatch Beauchamp
  5. North Curry
  6. Orchard Portman
  7. Ruishton
  8. Stoke St Mary
  9. Stoke St Gregory
  10. Trull
  11. Thornfalcon
  12. West Hatch
  13. Bishops Hull
  14. Bishops Lydeard
  15. Bradford On Tone
  16. Cheddon Fitzpaine
  17. Cotford St Luke
  18. Cothelstone
  19. Kingston St Mary
  20. Norton Fitzwarren
  21. Oake
  22. Staplegrove
  23. West Monkton
  24. Ash Priors
  25. Ashbrittle
  26. Bathealton
  27. Chipstable
  28. Combe Florey
  29. Fitzhead
  30. Halse
  31. Lydeard St Lawrence
  32. Milverton
  33. Stawley
  34. Tolland
  35. Wiveliscombe
  36. West Bagborough
  37. Bickenhall
  38. Churchstanton
  39. Corfe
  40. Curland
  41. Langford Budville
  42. Nynehead
  43. Otterford
  44. Pitminster
  45. Sampford Arundel
  46. Staple Fitzpaine
  47. Wellington
  48. Wellington Without
  49. West Buckland
  50. Taunton

West Somerset – Minor roads

  1. Stringston
  2. Stogursey
  3. Holford
  4. Kilve
  5. East Quantoxhead
  6. West Quantoxhead
  7. Monksilver
  8. Elworthy
  9. Crowcombe
  10. Bicknoller
  11. Stogumber
  12. Sampford Brett
  13. Williton
  14. Watchet
  15. Old Cleeve
  16. Withycombe
  17. Carhampton
  18. Porlock
  19. Minehead Without
  20. Minehead
  21. Nettlecombe
  22. Treborough
  23. Wooton Courtney
  24. Luccombe
  25. Luxborough
  26. Dunster
  27. Timberscombe
  28. Selworthy
  29. Exford
  30. Oare
  31. Brushford
  32. Dulverton
  33. Brompton Regis
  34. Winsford
  35. Cutcombe
  36. Skilgate
  37. Huish Champflower
  38. Clatworthy
  39. Brompton Ralph
  40. Upton
  41. Exton
  42. Withypool
  43. Exmoor

Please note, grass cutting may be affected by the weather and the dates may change. Work generally takes place during the day (7am to 7pm) with traffic-sensitive routes avoided during peak times.

No road closures are necessary, however, given the travelling speed of machinery required to ensure a good quality cut, minor delays are possible on the smaller lanes.

Hedges and banks

Where there are no verges and the roads are immediately bordered by a bank or hedge, a single vertical swathe of seasonal growth will be cut.

However, the majority of hedges bordering the highway are privately owned. Landowners and occupiers are responsible for maintaining their boundary, except between 1 March and 31 August (bird nesting season), to make sure their hedge, tree or shrub does not obstruct highway users or lines of sight at junctions. Landowners must also remove any debris from the road surface to prevent nuisance and to stop it from blocking surface water drainage systems.

If you spot any dangerous verges or overhanging hedges on the highway network, you can report them online.

Weed treatment

We don’t treat pavements as part of the programme of works. However, under the Noxious Weeds Act 1959, certain noxious weeds, including ragwort, must be removed where they are reported as causing a nuisance to highway users or adjoining landowners. Other invasive species that we treat are Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Giant Hogweed.

If you spot any noxious or invasive weeds growing on the highway network you can report them online.

Conservation

When we carry out environmental works we seek to protect wildlife on roadside verges while maintaining road safety.

In late 2018 the Council updated its Somerset Highways Biodiversity Manual and Somerset Pollinator Action Plan (PDF 432KB) which seeks to protect and enhance the amount and quality of pollinator habitat across the county.

This has led to a review of the summer grass-cutting operation and in 2019 only a single 1m swathe of verge was cut, except on specific bends and at junctions where increased visibility is required. The aim was to protect approximately an additional 3km sq of highway verge for wildlife – that’s an area roughly the size of 191 Somerset Cricket Club pitches.

Public Rights of Way

The 2020 vegetation-cutting programme is now underway and focuses on the paths that are most popular and are prone to becoming overgrown. Keeping vegetation under control is all part of keeping the path network safe to use and is achieved through a proactive programme using various contractors and volunteers. This programme is largely proceeding as normal.

Paths will generally receive between 1 and 3 cuts in a season. For those paths that have 2 or 3 cuts per season, the cutting programme will begin around the second half of May subject to the weather and local conditions.

Details of the paths that are cut by contractors, and how often, can be found online at Explore Somerset by selecting the ‘Veg Clearance’ layer from the ‘More Maps’ icon and zooming into and clicking on the path network.

If you encounter any issues whilst out walking, cycling or riding on the path network then these can be reported or checked on Explore Somerset. Further information about using the website can be found in this video:

Last updated: June 3, 2024

Next review due: December 3, 2024

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