A year ago we launched our management guidelines, Managing grassland road verges: a best practice guide, with thanks to funding from Rees Jeffreys Road Fund and the Prince of Wales’ Charitable Fund, and in collaboration with highways agencies, industry partners, and other wildlife organisation. We sent copies to councils around the UK and made it freely available on our website; it’s brilliant to look back and see the impact this new guidance has had over the last 12 months.
Numerous conversations with local authorities and contractors have resulted from the publication of these guidelines, and we’ve shared the advice far and wide, through posting out printed copies and sharing them at road verge conferences. It’s proved so popular we’ve just reprinted it – 500 copies are now available. If you’d like a copy for yourself, or to share with someone involved in verge management, you can request a copy here.
I’d like a printed copy of the guidelines.
The guidelines cover everything from assessing and monitoring verges, to how best to enhance, restore and maintain them. One method for restoring or creating new species-rich grassland verges is by using green hay from a nearby meadow. Over the summer, the North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent who manage strategic roads across Wales have been restoring verge sites in Gwynedd using green hay from one of Plantlife’s Coronation Meadows, Caeau Tan y Bwlch. Our cameras were there to capture the action: we hope you’ll enjoy watching and learning more about the process.
We also want to say a big thank you to all our supporters for your generosity. There’s been a tremendous response to our road verge appeal and we’re grateful for all your donations. If you haven’t yet had a chance to donate, there’s still some time to do so.
Best wishes,
Kate Petty, Road Verge Campaign Manager
Visit: www.plantlife.org.uk
