DORSET Council’s policy of not cutting some roadside verges for ecological reason will not change - despite the increased fire risk across the county.

Over the past week there has been several grass fires, including those which started on roadside verges.

One of these involved tinder-dry grass, three-feet tall, within a few yards of the Dorchester fire station.

Dorset Echo:

In a statement the council said: “There has been no change to Dorset Council’s policy on roadside verge management.

"In order to maintain the highways for users and improve biodiversity in verges, all roadside verges are cut at least once a year – this cut is scheduled for late summer and is currently happening across the Dorset Council area.

“In some places, where tall verges are dangerous for road users, we cut more regularly, and safety remains our top priority.”

The council response, which took four days, did not address the specific question about whether the long verges might increase the fire risk across the county and whether or not there would be a re-think on the policy in the light of the heightened fire risk.

The reassurance was sought over the verges policy after the fire risk level was raised to the highest level and reports of roadside fires near Corfe Castle and the small blaze in grass by the Dorchester fire station which is said to have been caused by the grass self-igniting.

Grass at the nearby Monkey Jump roundabout and on roadside verges close to the fire station is currently around three feet tall although on some other roads have been cut back by about a metre, but only directly at the road edge.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue say the two counties are now on the highest possible alert for open space fires with heathland, woods, farm fields and other public spaces at particular risk. They say that if a fire does start it is likely to spread quickly in the tinder-dry conditions.

The service, and Dorset Council, has urged people not to have barbecues or open fires until the risk has receded.

Firefighters tackled 180 fires in the open locally between August 1 and August 10 - a 429% increase on the 34 call outs for the same period last year.

Said group manager Stuart Gillion: “Dealing with wildfires is incredibly resource-intensive, and some can take days – and even weeks – to bring under control. Alongside the devastating impact on the countryside, such fires are also very costly, and yet they can be prevented if people heed the warnings and take care. We can all play a part in keeping Dorset and Wiltshire safe from fire.”