To ask the Minister for Infrastructure why grass cuttings are not lifted from treated areas.

As part of the Department’s current verge management approach there is no need to lift grass cuttings, however we do lift cuttings in our ‘Don’t Mow Let It Grow’ areas. The Department has been engaged in the ‘Don’t Mow Let It Grow’ pilot project in conjunction with Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council, Northern Ireland Environment Agency and others, in support of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, which contains a specific action ‘to promote pollinator-friendly management of the national road network in NI’. Details of this project can be found at: https://dontmowletitgrow.com/.

Going forward I am keen that our grass cutting policy supports this plan more widely and consideration is being given to lifting grass cuttings in more areas.