WINCHESTER civic chiefs are pressing on with a new greener way of managing roadside verges, despite opposition.

There has been a mixed reaction in Alresford and Badger Farm this year after council contractor idverde reduced the number of cuts.

That means the grass has grown higher but it gives a chance for wildflowers to set seed and germinate.

Many people welcome the boost to biodiversity but others say it leaves the verges looking unkempt and can create traffic danger at junctions with impeded sightlines.

Councillors on the health and environment policy committee have unanimously agreed to continue the scheme and expand it to other areas.

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In Badger Farm the verges have included The Ridgeway, Meadow Way and Ashbarn Crescent. In Alresford they include Mitford Road, Linnets Road, Benenden Green and Sun Lane.

Cllr Kelsie Learney, Cabinet Member for Climate Emergency, said: "The pilot was introduced in response to public requests to take a different approach, to reduce the number of cuts and allow wild flowers to grow."

She said lessons had been learned, including the need for good communications with local residents to manage expectations, including people who expect to see a wild flower meadow quickly.

Idverde has bought a £47,000 specialist cutter that collects the cuttings and so prevents them from boosting the soil nutrients which favours nettles and grass.

Cllr Frank Pearson, ward councillor for Central Meon Valley, said care was needed at junctions in the countryside, citing Gravel Hill and Springvale in Swanmore.

Cllr Learney, who represents St Barnabas ward in west Winchester, said: "At one door someone says 'why are you cutting the grass so often?' Then the next door neighbour says 'it's a mess. Why aren't you doing it more often?'"

She said there is 'guerrilla mowing' with members of the public taking it on themselves to cut the verge if they think the council is not doing it enough.

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Cllr Brian Laming, representing Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery, said the project had divided opinion in his ward this summer.

Cllr Jan Warwick, also a ward member for Badger Farm and Oliver's Battery, said it was an important issue as three per cent of Hampshire is a verge.

In a question to full Council Cllr Fiona Isaacs said many people in Alresford were unhappy with the wildflower project and grass cutting in general. ""Sadly, this year residents are still very angry and upset about the way they have been left to live in such a mess. Areas once very pretty and cared for are left to grow with dominant meadow and reed grass being cut once this year.

"Ragwort is spreading and other poisonous weeds. Children that used to play in open spaces are forced into the road due to the long grasses, asthma and allergy issues have increased in the area and tick and pet issues have also been a problem."

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Cllr Learney said communication would be improved but that the council has only received one complaint from an Alresford resident. There had been positive feedback on the diversity of the Mitford Road roundabout.

A report to the committee said 20 per cent of meadowland in Winchester district had been lost between 2005 and 2018.