Many roadside verges are fragments of unimproved, semi-natural grassland, a habitat once widespread throughout the country, but which has declined by 98% since the Second World War.

As a result, some verges contain plant species that are now rare or scarce at the national or county level. To help to protect them, these sensitive sites are designated Roadside Nature Reserves (RNRs), and are individually managed to ensure the survival of the species for which they are designated.

RNRs are managed under the Norfolk Roadside Nature Reserve Scheme. Launched in the mid-1990s, the scheme is run jointly by Norfolk County Council, which carries out the practical management work on the verges; and Norfolk Wildlife Trust which oversees the survey of RNRs, and maintains a database of designated verges and 'candidate' sites.

There are currently 67 RNRs in Norfolk, the majority of which are surveyed each year with the help of a team of volunteer surveyors. New sites are designated regularly.

For a factsheet regarding RNRs and the RNR Scheme click here