In Seaford, there are three main types of grass cutting, managed individually by three different local authorities:
- Urban Grass Verges – managed by Seaford Town Council and contracted to Countrymans Contractors Ltd.
- Rural Grass Verges – managed by East Sussex Highways (the Rural Grass Verges cutting schedule can be found here)
- Open spaces (such as parks and recreation grounds) – managed by Seaford Town Council and Lewes District Council (depending on the area) and contracted to idverde
Grass Verges
A map, which identifies which grass verges are urban (now under Seaford Town Council’s verge-cutting contract), and which are rural (remaining under East Sussex County Council’s contract) can be found here –
https://escc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5c524023058c4aa088a37b49b0d90814
From June 2024, Seaford’s urban grass-cutting contract was taken over by Seaford Town Council, transitioning from its previous management by East Sussex County Council. This change is a new, more direct working relationship with a key contractor.
Following a competitive, rigorous, and transparent tendering process, Countrymans Contractors Ltd. emerged as the best candidate, demonstrating a superior approach to delivering the two-year contract. The Town Council is confident in Countrymans’ ability to meet the high standards required.
There will be four cuts starting from June. The peak growth season for grass is usually June and July, but with climate change we’ve seen more erratic weather patterns, which could mean a flush of growth at other times of year, which might mean some longer growth between scheduled cuts.
Where there are safety issues, such as visibility at junctions, or accessibility of pavements and walkways, additional cuts may be needed. If you have any concerns about safety issues on junctions or pavements please do not hesitate to report this to us via [how to report].
Although initially the grass clippings will be left on the verge as was the case previously, longer term Seaford Town Council is investigating innovative grass cutting methods which are being increasingly used by other councils across the country. This involves removing grass cuttings and composting them. Evidence from other councils has shown that this keeps verges tidy for longer, increases the number of wildflowers and reduces the amount of fuel and transport costs. This means that it’s better for nature and the environment, whilst keeping verges attractive and safe.
You might also notice small areas of the verges left uncut around trees. This is at the request of Trees for Seaford volunteers, who plant and care for trees in Seaford. Our street trees provide a valuable long term resource for our community. Accidental strimmer damage to the bark of trees can mean disease enters the tree, and can even kill it. Because of the types of machinery the contractors use to cut the verges, it’s safer to leave some of the grass around the tree uncut rather than to try to get too close. We will continue to monitor this as part of the contract between Seaford Town Council and Countrymans and in response to any concerns from residents.
How to report a problem with grass cutting?
Please use the map above to identify which type of grass verge your problem refers to before contacting:
Urban Grass Verge Queries – email secretary@countrymans.co.uk
Rural Grass Verge Queries – report via the East Sussex Highways Report a Problem page CLICK HERE
Open Spaces – If you know or have been able to identify from local signage whether the open space is managed by Seaford Town Council or Lewes District Council please contact: Lewes District Council on customer_first@lewes-eastbourne.gov.uk or call 01273 471600, or Seaford Town Council on admin@seafordtowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01323 894870 – if you have been unable to identify which local authority manages the open space please contact Seaford Town Council.
The Town Council has been made aware of some cases where the map has not identified a grass verge as urban or rural – in all cases reports must be made via the East Sussex Highways Report a Problem page CLICK HERE
