THE sun is shining, the grass is growing - it's time to start mowing.

There are more than 6,000km of verges throughout Carmarthenshire - and it is the council's job to keep them trim.

It has a statutory duty to maintain the highway in a safe condition for motorists and pedestrians.

The importance of the road verge network for nature conservation must also be considered.

Mowing will begin in the second week of June, although it may start earlier in some areas on safety grounds.

The council carries out one cut a year, however, a second cut may be carried out in some areas in early September, depending on weather and growing conditions throughout the season.

Council head of street scene Phil Williams said: "The maintenance of road verges is an important service provided by the council.

"In the interests of safety, vegetation on verges is kept trimmed to avoid obscuring of signs and visibility splays.

"It is unavoidable, however, that on some stretches of minor roads, the growth of verge vegetation will occasionally reduce visibility, and so we would advise motorists to drive carefully."

The management of the county's roadside verges for biodiversity is reflected in the council's verge maintenance policy.

They provide a rich and varied wildlife habitat offering shelter, a supply of food and corridors along which wildlife can travel.

Council biodiversity officer Isabel Macho said: "There is an increasing awareness for the need to manage our verges in a sympathetic manner wherever possible and enhance their value for wildlife.

"Species-rich verges can be an attractive feature of the landscape. Swathes of ox-eye daisies on some of the trunk roads, and banks of bluebells, buttercups and orchids along country lanes, all add to the beauty and quality of the countryside."

Allowing the flowers to set seed before cutting them will ensure a continued display of wild flowers and grasses year after year.

Mr Williams said: "The cutting of some verges may be delayed in the interests of conservation as long as highway safety is not jeopardised.

"Designated nature reserves where clearly identified and marked will not be cut."