RBWM Wildlife Verges

Roadside verges are often overlooked as a habitat but with some changes to their management they can become wonderful wild spaces for animals and plants to thrive.

The Borough has created a number of ‘roadside reserves’, and plan on more. These verges won’t receive any treatment other than a late summer cut and collect. Collecting the grass is essential to reduce the nutrients in the soil and reduce the dominance of the grasses in order for a greater diversity of wildflowers to become established. The maintenance will be reviewed depending on the variety of plant communities that emerge. This may take a few seasons to assess but these verges will quickly become important wild spaces that can also provide some colour and interest for local residents to enjoy.

Signs saying ‘Growing Wild - do not mow’ are placed on the verges to highlight the change in maintenance to both residents and our contractors.

11 verges were used in a trial scheme and we are pleased to add 4 new verges into the plan, making 15. Eventually, we would love to leave most verges wild, creating plentiful habitat in our urban areas, unless there is a traffic safety issue.

Take a look through the map below to see exactly where our wildlife verges lie. Please note we are still in the process of adding verges so don't worry if you can't see a wildlife verge you think should be there. If you have ideas for a new wildlife verge or would like to get involved in our verge adoption scheme (see info in right widget), please email our natural environment team at bnc@rbwm.gov.uk.