AN environmentalist is celebrating after Essex County Council agreed to review its “verge massacre” policy.

Charles Clover, environmental correspondent and Sunday Times columnist, described the council as Philistines after it mowed verges while they were teaming with wildlife.

Mr Clover, chairman of the Dedham Vale Society, branded the action as verge massacre and said they should not be mown until August, once the seeds have fallen from the plants.

Roger Hirst, councillor responsible for the environment, has supported Mr Clover and said the council will review its verge maintenance policies.

Mr Clover, of Dedham, was outraged when contractors mowed verges near his home in June to improve visibility for drivers.

He said the twice-a-year action was out of step with the national pollinator strategy, which is backed by the Government.

Mr Hirst has written to MPs saying the council’s policy will be reviewed.

He said: “There certainly have been some errors in the timings of cuttings over recent years, but we are aiming to correct this now.

“As a council, we are in a position to enable significant benefits to wildlife, including bees, through reviewing our approach to verge management.

“In future, we will aim to cut the special verges according to Plantlife’s Road Verges and Wildlife Management Guidelines.

“We will also review our general verge maintenance policies for the county with the aim of improving the wider verge estate for biodiversity.”

Mr Clover said: “It is encouraging.

The offer of a review is not before time, but it is incredibly welcome.

“The management of verges could have been far better done, as Mr Hirst recognises.

“It will take a few years to get right but I am looking forward to next year.”