SIR,

I would like to clarify some points about the verge cutting article.

The first petition Save Our Rural Verge Cutting, taken in the Devauden area, asked for a more full consultation with all community councils, it also asked for rural road safety not to be compromised through lack of verge cutting.

It was felt that Councillor Williams' policy was being pushed through as presented in Devauden Community Council (DCC) minutes of 30th September without public representation.

His policy to leave many verges uncut until autumn stated that 'C' and 'R' roads could be included in future. The petition was presented to

an MCC committee to show that a large proportion of local residents were against such a policy around rural roads and lanes for safety reasons.

On the Devauden website, Councillor Williams has shown a photo of a section of the B4293 at Cophill Howick which he says should not be cut but Mr Leeworthy, head of MCC verge cutting, has stated that this section would be too dangerous to be left for one cut in late autumn so normal cutting would be required.

At the open meeting held by DCC he also confirmed that C and R routes would cut as normal.

The second petition highlights safety issues on 'B' roads, where overhanging vegetation is already a cause of rural accidents, was taken at the new Raglan market to get a wider viewpoint. 135 members of the public signed the petition and stated their views that the B roads must be cut twice a year as cowparsley and brackens left uncut will cause severe visibility problems when overtaking and pulling out of farm gateways.

The proposed policy may be introduced on wide verges on sections of 'A' roads. A one metre cut is taken at present leaving large areas of verge which could be planted with wild flowers.

David Maddocks

(Devauden)