More than 6,000km of grass verges throughout Carmarthenshire are having their annual cut.

The council has a statutory duty to maintain the highway in a safe condition for motorists and pedestrians.

Generally one cut is carried out a year; however, a second cut may be needed in some areas in early September, depending on weather and growing conditions throughout the season.

Drivers are being urged to take care while the works are carried out.

Executive Board Member for Technical Services Cllr Hazel Evans said: “The maintenance of road verges is an important service provided by the council. In the interests of safety, vegetation on verges is kept trimmed to avoid obscuring of signs and visibility splays.

“It is unavoidable, however, that on some stretches of minor roads, the growth of verge vegetation will occasionally reduce visibility, and so we would advise motorists to drive carefully.”

The importance of the road verge network for nature conservation is reflected in the council’s verge maintenance policy. The roadside verges provide a rich and varied wildlife habitat offering shelter, a supply of food and corridors along which wildlife can travel.

Cllr Evans added: “The cutting of some verges may be delayed in the interests of conservation as long as highway safety is not jeopardised. Designated nature reserves where clearly identified and marked will not be cut.”