Roadside Verges

"A favourite verge is at Wicken Bonhunt, found on the north side of the B1038 road that sweeps down the hill to east end of the village. During June and July the pale yellow Sulphur Clover is in flower. A local resident keeps an eye on the verge and has recorded the plants growing there for a number of years. The flora includes orchids, vetches, knapweeds and scabious"

Sarah Kenyon, Natural Sciences Curatorial Officer & Verge Representative, Saffron Walden Museum

Why bother with verges?

There are approximately 200,000 hectares of roadside verge in the UK along 155,000km of road. This represents an area of various grassland types, scrub and trees equivalent to the size of Berkshire stretched along a distance sufficient to circumnavigate the Earth four times. If this vast area could be sensitively managed with nature conservation in mind not only is there a huge potential for the wildlife associated with the verges themselves, but also for the wildlife in the surrounding countryside as verges may act as corridors interlinking fragmented or isolated habitats.

In terms of wildlife value, verges can be split into 3 broad types:

• Landscaped and intensively managed verges sown with fast growing grass mixes: these represent our poorest quality wildlife resource.
• Recently created verges left to colonise naturally: these vary in their ecological value depending on their management and the substrate. Species rich grassland will develop where the substrate is low in nutrients but will be lost through scrub invasion if not managed. Where there is thick topsoil verges can still support a wide range of plants and animals if managed appropriately.
• Ancient verges: the verges of some roads may date back hundreds of years before agricultural intensification so giving us a glimpse of where once common plants still exist. They are of high ecological value, and where properly managed, support a wide variety of threatened or declining species such as Sulphur Clover, Crested cow-wheat, Lesser Calamint and Cowslips.

"When I get to visit the north-west of the county, I generally wind along the B1053 through Wethersfield and Finchingfield. Heading out of Great Sampford towards Radwinter, I always look out for a large grassy bank, which has a good show of Greater Knapweed in the summer, suggesting a chalky influence to the soil. Less obvious to the passing motorist are the stems of Knapweed Broomrape, a parasitic plant that gains its nourishment by tapping into the root system of the host Knapweed. Most of our chalk grassland plants are largely restricted to road verge habitats, but their future is not always secure even here. This bank at Sampford is slowly being covered by scrub growth and it would be a pity to lose the site of the wildflowers growing there."

Adrian Knowles, Senior Ecologist, Essex Ecology Services Ltd.

Essex Special Roadside Verge Project.

In the 1970s, Essex County Council Highways Agency, Nature Conservancy Council and Essex Wildlife Trust identified a number of important verges within the county. These were designated as Special Roadside Nature Reserves with the aim to safe guard the future of the many rare and uncommon flowers that grow on them. Since then the number has grown and there are now 103 sites covering 44 km. These are managed today in a partnership between:

• Essex County Council - who are responsible for ensuring that the verges are safe for road users. Safety is a priority so all verges receive a 1m wide safety cut when necessary to ensure good visibility. ECC are responsible for erecting marker posts and special plaques to identify each designated verge in the county and they pay for special mowing of roadside nature reserves.
• Essex Wildlife Trust Verge Representatives - who identify, monitor and report on their special verges and may liase with the town or parish council and farmers regarding their correct mowing. They can assist with extending or restoring sites as well as looking out for potential new sites.
• Museum Services - which hold botanical records for all the Special Roadside Verges and are a good source of local information and advice.

"Langley Upper Green Verge - The striking rosy-purple and yellow spikes of the Crested Cow-wheat flower can be seen on the verge and in the hedge from June to September. The site is managed by a local farmer to keep it in good condition. A dedicated verge representative provides detailed records about the location and abundance of the plant population on an annual basis." Sarah Kenyon

Who benefits?

Where Special Roadside Nature Reserves are managed properly threatened flowers will survive, insects and butterflies will be supplied with food and shelter, small mammals will prosper in the longer grass and birds will feed on seed heads. The result will be an increase in the verges biological diversity or biodiversity that will have a positive effect on the quality of all our lives.

Some of the information in this article was sourced from:
"Essex Roadside Verges - their wildlife and management" leaflet produced by Essex County Council and Essex Wildlife Trust.
"Caring for Essex Verges - notes on verge management for local councils, farmers and contractors" leaflet produced by Essex County Council and Essex Wildlife Trust.
"The Roadside Verge Report" by L. Alexander for The Wildlife Trusts UK Office.
"Protected Roadside Nature Reserves" leaflet produced by Suffolk County Council and Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

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