Lars Magne Roksvåg is a beekeeper on the island on the North Sea coast. For him, it is important to have flowers nearby, especially when the weather is challenging. – The bees have to fly a long way for a small food package, he says, and says that several of the bees die due to cold weather or rain on the way back and forth from the flower meadow. The county council received strong reactions from the local population in Smøla when the flower meadow on the side of the road was leveled down last summer. Roksvåg’s bees enjoyed the wildflowers along the road, and the beekeeper was therefore one of those who reacted. – I think it’s strange. Along the road here, there are no plants that obstruct the view. Nevertheless, they normally cut three to four meters out at the edge of the road, he says. Lars Magne Roksvåg hopes that it will only be cut where it is necessary during the first mowing. Cold weather has delayed spring, and the edge mowing, for two weeks. Photo: private Let the flowers stand And the reactions have led to change. The Kantslåten will soon be finished in Nordmøre, but in Smøla they will wait until later in the summer. – We will only strike where there is a need, says Tor Håkon Taraldsen, who is construction manager for operation and maintenance in the county council. Tor Håkon Taraldsen in the county council will take care of the flower meadow on the roadside in Smøla this year. Photo: Eirik Haukenes / news Taraldsen and his colleagues will cut a stretch of 475 kilometers through outer Nordmøre. Smøla is the last stop on the route, and Taraldsen has driven all over the island to see how the vegetation on the side of the road obstructs the view of road users. Where they do not, the flowers are allowed to grow in peace. – We will only mow when they have finished flowering in August, he explains. ALLOWED TO STAND: These flowers are allowed to stand until the second moat if they do not obstruct the view of motorists. Photo: Eirik Haukenes / news Mowing is important for the flower cranes Grete Sponga is an environmental adviser for the Swedish Road Administration, which is responsible for mowing along national and European roads. Since 2012, they have mapped roadsides rich in species, and arranged the mowing. – In some areas, it can become less rich in species from not being beaten, she explains. Sponga explains that they mow to preserve species diversity in the best possible way. Some parts of the roadside they skip over. In other places where tall plants grow, there will be fewer flowers if they are not cut. – An overgrown roadside will not be good for the bumblebees and bees in the long term, she says. The edge mowing is also used to prevent the spread of unwanted species, such as garden lupine and Russian cabbage. Traffic safety Back in Smøla, Mayor Svein Roksvåg is very pleased that the low-lying plants will be allowed to flourish. On the colorful roadside, he points out priest’s collar, stilt tongue, red clover and lady’s mantle. – After all, it is for the sight that the roadsides are cut. Where there is low vegetation with beautiful flowers, it is not necessary to mow, the mayor points out. Mayor Svein Roksvåg is satisfied that the mowing will not be done until the autumn. Photo: Eirik Haukenes / news
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Adjusts edge trimming of flowers at Smøla according to reactions from the public. – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
