Our report on grass verges from 1976 still rings true today

Uncut grass verges - the result of one of this year’s economy measures ordered by Whitehall - have caused a barrage of protest from the public, parish councils, farmers and the police, Lancashire highways committee was told.

And the position is likely to get worse because still more verges and amenity areas may be neglected next summer.

Cuts of 50 per cent in mowing costs on county roads may be added to those already apparent on Ministry trunk roads, the committee decided.

The only hope then of keeping tidy will have to come from towns where the local council is prepared to foot the extra bill to retain a bit of civic pride.

Next year’s economies on mowing will save the county £170,000, the committee was told, but the main effects on manpower would be felt by district councils who did most of the work on an agency basis for them.

County surveyor Mr Harry Yeadon said: “The complete restriction of cutting grass would be unreasonable, and almost certainly unacceptable to the public for amentiy reasons rather than grounds of safety.”