Oxford City Council has reduced the number of times it cuts grass verges across the city to support wildflower growth, bees and butterflies.

The council used to cut the city's grass verges every fortnight but now trims them alongside main roads once a year and alongside smaller roads once a month.

And the results of the decision made earlier this year are now being seen, says the council.

Councillor Lubna Arshad, Cabinet Member for Parks and Waste Reduction, said: “The impact of climate change and habitat loss on wildlife is dramatic, and we are seeing an unprecedented decline in many species, including those vital to wider food chains, such as bees."

The cutting changes will encourage the growth of Oxford’s naturally-occurring wildflowers, which in turn will provide pollen for bees and butterflies, and increase the city’s carbon storage.

It will also reduce the City Council’s fuel use.

The City Council and ODS manage grass verges in Oxford on behalf of Oxfordshire County Council.

The project aims to encourage Oxford’s indigenous wildflowers and other flora to grow naturally.

In the majority of cases, the City Council is therefore not planning to manage the verges, including by planting wild flowers.

"The number of wild flowers may be few initially, but should increase through time as the grass becomes less dominant. In a small number of locations the City Council may intervene to reduce the dominance of grass and increase species.

Cllr Arshad added: “We are facing a biodiversity crisis with 41 per cent of UK species declining and one in 10 is threatened with extinction.

"There are 60 per cent fewer wild animals and birds in the UK now than there were in 1970. Mown verges provide very little habitat for either, or the insects that so many depend on.

“The situation requires more than just token wildlife areas in a few parks. We need to manage all our green spaces in a way which maximises their potential to better support biodiversity.

“This does mean some of our green spaces will appear more wild and less kempt, but allowing verges to grow helps change that disastrous trend. It also brings more colour and interest to our cityscape.

"We need to change our perception so we come to see that a patch of wild flowers or stinging nettles buzzing with insects is as beautiful as a formal rose bed.”