As Highway Authority, we need to make sure verges remain safe. This is particularly vital at road junctions where clear visibility for motorists and pedestrians is important.

In rural areas, a number of grass verges have rare or endangered species of flora/fauna, and here the grass cutting regime may be relaxed. See our page on road verge nature reserves for more information.

Ragwort

Ragwort is a poisonous and fast growing weed which is dangerous to horses and other domestic animals. We will attempt to clear ragwort where it is reported. Please use this online form or telephone the Highway Enquiries Team.

Service strips

For information about public highway grass verges (between the road and your private boundary), take a look at our page on service strips.

Dumping on grass verges

Litter, abandoned cars and fly tipping on road verges is generally the responsibility of your local district council:

• Cherwell District Council
• Oxford City Council
• South Oxfordshire District Council
• Vale of White Horse District Council
• West Oxfordshire District Council

Protection of grass verges

Town and parish councils frequently express concern about the erosion of verges caused by building work and vehicles. Even after reinstatement or re-seeding, similar problems may continue. 

• In our experience, the most effective method of preventing grass verge damage is to prevent access to it with short, substantial posts.
• Stones can cause problems and are not generally permitted on the highway.
• Kerbs can provide good edge support, but they can be driven over by modern vehicles so they may not help in this instance. If kerbing is desired, we will consider town and parish council requests to fund acceptable schemes.
• Tree planting is also feasible but is not, by itself, always sufficient to prevent parking.

Short posts

Where a town or parish council wants permanent protection for a verge:

• pressure treated or hardwood wooden posts at least 100mm (4 ins) square, set 600mm (2 ft) into the ground, 600mm (2 ft) tall, and set back 450mm (18 ins) from the road, could be used
• the cost of each approved scheme will need to be paid to us before installation takes place
• we will not fund future maintenance costs
• due to possible danger to and from buried apparatus, we would need to arrange the installation.

Legal powers

The legal prohibition of parking on the verge is possible through the 'Oxfordshire Act' 1985. These powers are exercised by the five district councils.

We can provide details of the sign you would need. The legislation is not often used because resources for enforcement are always a problem but it is a possibility as a last resort. The 'Oxfordshire Act' includes powers to declare a verge 'ornamental' if the town or parish council agrees to keep it to a high standard. Fencing is allowed in order to do this.