WITH Devon County Council dropping verge cutting from its annual maintenance agenda, apart from visibility splays, town and parish councils have been left to pick up the pieces.

The county has offered £1,285 to Bovey Tracey Town Council if it is prepared to manage the work in future.

Town clerk Mark Wells reported to Monday’s recreation, parks and property committee that inquiries had been made, and informal quotes from contractors suggested it would cost the council an extra £60.

‘We hope to continue to cut all the verges instead of just visibility splays. The agreement would be for four cuts between April and October,’ he said.

Mr Wells said there was no guarantee the county’s offer would continue after next year. If the council did not take up the option then the county would only cut the visibility splays.

Cllr Chris Robillard said perhaps the council ought to take the money now and continue reviewing it.

Cllr George Gribble said the people of Bovey Tracey wanted to see a clean and tidy town.

‘I think we should negotiate a little further to see what we can do. When the grass is not picked up it looks awful. They don’t even cut the visibility splays properly and I have had to get them back,’ he said.

The committee agreed to accept the financial contribution and to continue negotiating.