Rewilding, a group of residents in Derbyshire fight back.

So many good points on here about hidden signs, damage to road and pavement surfaces, ticks, ragwort etc.

Rewilding doesn’t mean just letting things grow unmanaged and unkempt.

NB. The danger of doing it yourself is a bit like the danger of clearing snow off paths.
If someone can claim they were injured because of your actions-tripping over the lawnmower/flex, falling over the bit you didn't cut etc, you can find yourself in trouble.

I’m sure that the weeds growing on the road are going to add to the pot hole problem. Years ago we used to travel to Bangor on Dee once a year and, on the way there was an area next to the road that was full of wild flowers. I always thought how lovely it looked and how I wished that more places did the same. But what we have now doesn’t look like that. It just looks a terrible mess.

There are many areas surely where the council could rewild, but not in residential areas or roads where signs could get covered up. When close to houses it gives the area a look of dereliction and shabbiness, and it isn't the kind of mix you see in a meadow, is just grass and non flowering weeds near us.
I suggest residents grab their mowers and take action.
Will be getting on my neighbourhood forum suggesting this.

Well done them!

I need to go and check today, actually, because our washing line area has thigh high nettles, blackberries and prickly weeds all over it.

I phoned them yesterday and spoke very firmly.

I've only been phoning for the last 25 years or so.

Allira

There were wide areas of grass in the road where I grew up, the Council didn't cut it for years in the 1950s
No-one seemed to let their dogs roam there and we children used to love playing and hiding in the long grass in the summer.
I don't remember rodents or any ticks.

Of course, there were few dogs then and even fewer cars.

Rewilding has to be very carefully managed, the Council here have tried it but not very successfully as they mowed at the wrong time of year.

In the 1950s we had a village road man who used to cut the roadsides with a scythe, what he didn’t cut the local farmers cut and baled for hay, ( no poisonous ragwort in those days), the village green and cemetery were grazed with sheep.
We also has a resident district nurse too.

Such is progress

The 30 mph limit sign in the next village is completely obscured, as is the sign directing people to the A50/M1. Do they just assume that everyone uses sat nav?

There were wide areas of grass in the road where I grew up, the Council didn't cut it for years in the 1950s
No-one seemed to let their dogs roam there and we children used to love playing and hiding in the long grass in the summer.
I don't remember rodents or any ticks.

Of course, there were few dogs then and even fewer cars.

Rewilding has to be very carefully managed, the Council here have tried it but not very successfully as they mowed at the wrong time of year.

I hate to see these ugly, unkempt areas. Penny pinching by councils and churches which they call rewilding. Pathetic!

My fingers have a different language, today.

Cost cutting, if they are anything like the council here.
I was on the phone yesterday to them, once gain having to ask for the easting line area to be weeded.

It's been about 20 odd years now, I've had to phone them throughout each summer.

Rewinding or cost cutting?

Where I live has flats, no sheds or outside storage, so nowhere to store gardening equipment.

The dogs mess and rubbish comes from the private houses across the road, as a rule, too.

Marmin

Leaving grassed areas to grow unchecked is not rewilding. It does however sound like cost cutting.

It is cost cutting but in certain locations it can be very dangerous. Road junctions/roundabouts/driveways all concealed by high grass simply put divers and pedestrians alike in danger.
I would have no reservation whatsoever at cutting any overgrowth back where I live.

Trouble is, most councils have been squeezed by cutbacks and an increase in demand for their services whilst having their budgets slashed. Some are even on the verge of bankruptcy. So the choice is in maintaining grass verges, supporting vulnerable children or adults, libraries, refuse collection or sports facilities, I’m guessing mowing grass is down the list of priorities. So it’s not so much “ residents fighting back” as “ residents making an effort in their immediate environment when stretched councils are unable to maintain them.

vegansrock

What’s wrong with residents tidying up their own areas rather than wait for “the council” do it? Good for them. There is a lot of “guerrilla gardening “ around in my area- they even have a FB group. They have transformed an overgrown roundabout into a floral display and many verges have become wildflower meadows ( managed, not just left) . If more people took pride in their immediate surroundings there wouldn’t be so much litter, dog mess etc. I do litter pick and tidy up the area in my road , as do other residents.

I think there is nothing wrong with it, and such areas always look lovely. But considering people pay their council tax to cover the maintenance of public areas I imagine many are feeling rightfully miffed about this.

What’s wrong with residents tidying up their own areas rather than wait for “the council” do it? Good for them. There is a lot of “guerrilla gardening “ around in my area- they even have a FB group. They have transformed an overgrown roundabout into a floral display and many verges have become wildflower meadows ( managed, not just left) . If more people took pride in their immediate surroundings there wouldn’t be so much litter, dog mess etc. I do litter pick and tidy up the area in my road , as do other residents.

Leaving grassed areas to grow unchecked is not rewilding. It does however sound like cost cutting.