Volunteers devastated after council mows down Radley meadow

David Mulholland created the mini biodiversity area on St James’ Terrace in Radley four years ago.

He explained that the meadow had become a hub for wildlife and insects and was now home to several types of wildflowers.

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Mr Mulholland said: “I went past the grass verge on my way to Abingdon on Tuesday (June 22) and saw four goldfinches there.

“I took pictures of the birds- it was wonderful.

“But when I came back it had been mown down by Oxfordshire County Council contractors. I was absolutely horrified.”

One volunteer who did not want to be named said: “Absolutely devastated. I have no words.

“My son is upset too. He helped on his hands and knees to plant the majority of the flowers growing.

"They [the council] have butchered other areas of the village too. It’s awful.”

Mr Mulholland explained that he started the meadow by approaching the council and asking them to let the area grow wild.

But volunteers spent money planting different types of wildflowers on the grass verge.

He said that there is normally a sign on the meadow requesting for it not to be mowed but this had rotted and was not in place this year.

Oxfordshire County Council had nevertheless been contacted to inform them of the biodiversity area.

The incident in Radley comes following the No Mow May campaign last month when councils across the county pledged to let grass verges grow wild.

The idea is to allow a space for nature to thrive and so that wildflowers can seed.  

According to the Wildlife Trusts, around 700 species of wildflower grow on road verges – nearly 45 per cent of the UK’s total plant population.

Oxfordshire County Council were approached for comment in relation to the claims made in this article.

A spokesperson for the council said: We would like to apologise to these residents for cutting down these wildflowers.

“This goes against our policy of encouraging biodiversity and we accommodate requests to refrain from mowing wherever possible.

“We recently updated our Verges and Vegetation policy to promote wildflower growth, including only cutting verges annually.

“Unfortunately, on this occasion the request was only sent on Friday which was not enough time to process before the cutting took place [on Tuesday]. 

“We are looking at how we can make the notification as proactive as possible to minimise the need for last-minute requests. 

“All formally accepted locations have appropriate signage on site to identify such locations to contractors, which should also confirm to residents which locations we are aware have plants of particular interest.”