The Isle of Wight Council is meeting representatives of contractor Island Roads this week to discuss new ways of cutting rural roadside verges in an attempt to preserve the wild flowers and vegetation on which bees and other wildlife flourish.

Island Roads – consisting of VINCI Concessions, Meridiam Investments and Ringway which – started work on the 25-year highways contract in April.

The firm is currently contracted to cut back all the grass and vegetation from many rural verges.

Now other options are to be explored including leaving swathes of roadside vegetation free for bees.

The move follows representations from local councillors concerned that the previous verge trimming regime may have harmed the Island’s bee population including the rare Potter Flower bee.

Councillor Jon Gilbey, Isle of Wight Council cabinet member responsible for the Highways PFI, said: “The aim of the meeting is to agree on a way of maintaining our verges that means they are safe for road users but with as little impact as possible on the bee population.

“Our relationship with Island Roads is a positive and a pragmatic one and I am confident we can agree a way forward.”

Paul Herbert, service director at Island Roads, said: “We are committed to making the Highways PFI as environmentally friendly as possible and are delighted to discuss a way forward that would help protect the ecology of roadside verges.

“We look forward to our forthcoming discussions with council members and officers.”