Newport Council pledges support for No Mow May

NEWPORT City Council has pledged its support for Plantlife’s No Mow May campaign.

The campaign encourages individuals, councils, and stakeholders to help bees, butterflies, and other wildlife by letting wildflowers grow on lawns and green spaces throughout May instead of mowing them.

The council has pledged its support in recognition of our status as a Bee-Friendly City, and on our duty to enhance nature and take actions that help counter the impact of climate change.

The move to support the campaign follows on from successful trials of different measures of grass management, and different wildflower seed mixes in our designated ‘leave to grow’ pilot sites.

The successful trials have enabled the Council to adapt its grass management methods and schedules and increase its capacity to implement sustainable changes to the work that benefit both nature and people.

As a result, regular mowing schedules across the city will begin in June. Grass cutting will still take place before June in a number of places in order to:

Maintain visibility for road users; keep traffic signage and sightlines clear; maintain margins and access on footways and cycle routes; and maintain parks, sports grounds, cemetery sites, and access to play and recreational green spaces

Cllr Roger Jeavons, deputy leader of the council, said:

“I’m delighted to announce Newport’s support for No Mow May.

“From installing solar panels on council buildings to introducing new 20mph speed limits, we are taking many proactive steps as an authority to make Newport a greener, healthier place to live, and our support for No Mow May is another of those steps.

“We recognise that we have a duty to help increase biodiversity, and by supporting this campaign we are demonstrating our commitment to making positive, lasting changes for the people and wildlife of our city.”