Highways Bulletin: Keeping Verges Safe

Published on: 4 May, 2026
Updated on: 6 May, 2026

The information for this bulletin comes from Surrey County Council and is written by them.

Report potholes and highway issues here.

Surrey grass cutting programme: what to expect this season

As spring growth accelerates across Surrey’s road network, our annual grass-cutting programme is now well underway, helping to keep verges safe, visible and well maintained for everyone using the county’s roads.

We deliver a planned cutting schedule running from February through to November each year. This ensures we stay ahead of rapid seasonal growth while balancing safety, environmental considerations and value for money. Across the programme, we complete six cuts in urban areas, two in rural locations, and two on high-speed roads such as dual carriageways.

In residential areas, teams use ride-on mowers where possible, supported by strimming in areas the machinery cannot safely reach. At times, residents may notice grass cuttings temporarily left on pavements or roads. This is part of a coordinated process, with follow-up “blowing” teams returning shortly after to clear surfaces and safely redistribute cuttings back onto the verge.

In rural areas, specialist tractors fitted with side-arm flails are used to manage vegetation, helping maintain clear sightlines for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.

High-speed roads are treated differently due to the additional safety requirements involved. Traffic management is needed to protect both road users and crews, meaning fewer cuts are carried out each season. Grass cuttings are left in place and naturally break down over time, as collecting them would significantly increase costs, carbon emissions and disruption.

Residents may also notice Blue Heart verges, which are managed specifically for biodiversity, allowing wildflowers and wildlife to thrive before a single cut later in the year.

Find out more about the programme here: Grass cutting programme in Surrey 2026 to 2027 – Surrey County Council.

For details of roadworks in the Guildford area please click here.