TWO areas in the Vale are going to be involved in an initiative that will help wildlife to flourish. Denbighshire Council is currently working with the North Wales Wildlife Trust (NWWT) to ensure road verges are managed in a more environmentally friendly way. At the moment, grass verges are cut when wild flowers are in full bloom and at their most impressive. This ruins the habitats for the flowers, animals and insects. The council says it was agreed that plants should be able to flower before the verges are cut. If not, all wildlife associated with road verges will be lost. A survey has already been conducted and eight verges have been identified as important because of the rare plants which thrive in the grassland. Two pilot areas have been agreed in the county, where less rigorous hedge and verge cutting will take place on rural roads. One is around Llandegla & Llanarmon while the other is in Bryneglwys. Llandegla and Llanarmon are in limestone areas so plants such as cowslip, St John's-wort and lady's bedstraw thrive. Bryneglwys, has acidic soil so bluebell, greater stitchwort and wood anemone all grow there. It is hoped that by carrying out these schemes, where roadside verges are cut down in a more conservation-friendly way, wildlife will be encouraged. Adrian Lloyd Jones, conservation officer with the NWWT, said "It will really benefit wildlife as well as making the county more beautiful. Less cuts will also save money so there are benefits all round." Cllr Sue Roberts added: "Ted Painter, policy and projects manager, has played a key role in putting the scheme into practice and Denbighshire Countryside Service would like to thank him for all the work he has done." | 
