Drivers warned ahead of summer verge cutting

Drivers have been warned to be alert for large, slow vehicles on roads as maintenance teams begin cutting back roadside verges.

Northumberland County Council said it had started the work which will cover several thousand kilometres of highway verges.

The North Pennine Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Northumberland National Park Authority identified about 80 areas with plants and flowers of particular interest, which the council said it would delay cutting until September.

Councillor Mark Mather said while the work was needed to keep prevent accidents, it recognised how important bio-diversity was in the county.

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