Cornwall Council are responsible for the roadside verges (and the green spaces owned by Cornwall Council).   Cormac Solutions are contracted to manage the grass cutting on behalf of Cornwall Council.

Cornwall Council’s management of roadside verges

Further information is available on Cornwall Council’s website by clicking the links below:

Verge Management and Grass Cutting – Cornwall Council

During Covid the system for managing the roadside grass verges changed:

https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/parks-leisure-and-culture/parks-and-open-spaces/making-space-for-nature/wildlife-verges/

Making Space for Nature 

Yellow Rattle and Wildflowers on New Road and Lower Anderton Road

Following Millbrook’s consultation, during the Parish Council meeting held in September 2024, the Parish Council approved the purchase of Yellow Rattle and Wildflower seeds.  Cormac scarified the village roadside verges and arrangements were made for volunteers, the local schools and Millbrook Pre-school to work with Millbrook Parish Council and the Council’s contractor Enhanscapes to sow the seeds.  Funding support was received from Cornwall Councillor Kate Ewert.

Yellow Rattle is a semi-parasitic annual wildflower native to the UK and much of Europe. It’s name represents the bright yellow, tubular flowers and characteristic rattling sound made by its seeds in their pods when they are mature. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, Yellow Rattle is a powerful ally in meadow management.  By naturally controlling grasses, it fosters a more diverse and vibrant ecosystem. With the right care and management, Yellow Rattle can help transform spaces into thriving meadows, rich in wildflowers and teeming with life..

Future management of the roadside verges along New Road and Lower Anderton Road

Following several emails, a site meeting was held on Friday 11th July at around 6.45am with Trevor Jones, Cormac’s Environment Area Manager, Cllr Lisa George and the Parish Clerk.

Cormac agreed the following:

• Cut any areas which are deemed a Highway Safety issue
• Scythe the areas with high levels of volunteers
• Work with Millbrook’s volunteers, who would assist with raking/gathering up the cut material.
• Cormac would then take away the cut material and carry out a seed harvest.  The seed would then be returned to the Parish Council.
• By the end of July a full cut and collect of the roadside verges will be carried out by Cormac.
• Safety cut of verges will be carried out by Cormac, if required.
• Cut and scarification of the road side verges will be carried out in October to prepare them for an Autumn sowing of the harvested yellow rattle seeds, plus additional seed purchased by the Parish Council.