Roadside Nature Reserve, credit Norfolk County Council

Balance of safety and nature is driving verge cutting plans


Tuesday 14 May, 2019


Norfolk Wildlife Trust works in partnership with Norfolk County Council to maintain and protect our 112 Roadside Nature Reserves, home to a range of vulnerable plants.

With the annual verge cutting getting programme getting underway now, the need to balance supporting nature, and keeping roads safe, is again the focus for Norfolk County Council.

More than 11,000 miles of roads are under the care of the county council. Verges along the majority of roads are cut twice between May and September each year.

Cllr Martin Wilby, Norfolk County Council Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure & Transport, said: “We only cut verges for safety reasons, not appearance. Safety will always be a top priority on our roads and making sure verges are cut for visibility every year is a vital piece of the work we do to keep our roads safe.

“I’m very proud of the work we’ve been doing over more than 20 years to support the now 112 roadside nature reserves we have across the county. A real success story has been the Sulphur Clover Project, where we have worked with Norfolk Wildlife Trust and the Farm Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) to increase the number of sites this rare plant grows. For over 10 years sulphur clover seed has been harvested from roadside nature reserves, and with the help of landowners the seed has been given new homes on the clay soils of South Norfolk where the plant can grow well.”

Up to around 1 metre of verge from the edge of the road is cut in most areas with wider areas around corners and junctions cut to make sure visibility is maintained. In urban areas roadside verges are usually cut five times a year, and areas maintained on the county council’s behalf by other local councils may see more frequent cuts.

Actions to support rare species on our roadsides are continuing. One-hundred and twelve roadside nature reserves maintained by the county council, in partnership with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust, are home to a range of vulnerable plants. In these reserves cutting takes place once in or around September each year. Rare species such as crested cow-wheat, sulphur clover, and Breckland speedwell, are protected by roadside nature reserves. In Norfolk, there are also verges designated for toad migratory routes and rare fungi.

Conservation Officer at Norfolk Wildlife Trust, Helen Baczkowska said: “As wildflower rich grasslands have become rarer in the wider countryside, roadside verges today have increased importance as refuges for plants which have declined elsewhere.  The grassland and hedgerows along our road networks also play a vital role as corridors for wildlife to move along and help connect our increasingly isolated ‘islands’ of good habitat where wildlife still thrives. Without any cutting many of the rarer plant species would not survive and so with sensitive management and careful planning the needs of both road safety and looking after wildlife can both be met.  We are fortunate in Norfolk still to have many road verges rich not just in flowers but also in bees, butterflies and other pollinators bringing wider benefits to adjacent farmland.”

Ed Stocker, Norfolk County Council Ecologist, said: “Activities such as road improvements, tree and hedgerow maintenance, surface water drainage and gritting all have to consider protected species, protected areas and biodiversity in general.

“From 2019 we will be working more closely with Norfolk Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers to survey and protect the most important wildflowers. We are currently replacing the roadside nature reserve posts that mark out the sections to be left out of the main mowing schedule, and these are clearly labelled so do look out for these as you travel around the county.”
Share this

Top news stories

2024-02-19 Cromer goats join NWT! Cromer goats join NWT!
Monday 19 February, 2024
Twelve rare breed goats are settling into their new life with Norfolk Wildlife Trust after retiring from their conser...
2024-02-09 High-tech cows aid nature cons High-tech cows aid nature conservation at NWT Sweet Briar Marshes
Friday 09 February, 2024
Six rare breed cattle, sporting the latest in grazing technology, have been released at Norfolk Wildlife Trust's ...
2024-02-08 NWT Cley Marshes to host Rober NWT Cley Marshes to host Robert Gillmor retrospective
Thursday 08 February, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust will host a retrospective exhibition of the work of renowned wildlife artist, Robert Gillmor, ...
2024-02-02 Population of UK’s tallest bir Population of UK’s tallest bird hits record-breaking high
Friday 02 February, 2024
Survey results show 2023 was another successful year for the Common Crane, with a record 80 pairs confirmed in the UK...
2024-02-01 National Lottery Heritage Fund National Lottery Heritage Funding to support our new 'Building Foundations for the Future' project
Thursday 01 February, 2024
We are delighted to announce that we have been granted an incredible £241,642 from The National Lottery He...
2024-01-19 UK Government authorises use o UK Government authorises use of bee-killing pesticide for sugar beet
Friday 19 January, 2024
'Emergency' authorisation to use a highly damaging neonicotinoid has today been approved by UK Government, de...
2024-01-04 £210,000 boost for west Norfol £210,000 boost for west Norfolk's wetland wildlife
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Norfolk Wildlife Trust opens the new year with an exciting new project making vital improvements to rare wildlife-ric...
2024-01-04 Our former leader, Brendan Joy Our former leader, Brendan Joyce OBE
Thursday 04 January, 2024
Everyone at Norfolk Wildlife Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death of former Chief Executive Brendan Joyce OB...
2023-12-08 British Sugar fails to deliver British Sugar fails to deliver on 3-year plan to end use of banned neonicotinoids
Friday 08 December, 2023
Time's up! Minister urged to help sugar farmers go neonic-free and honour ban as deadline approaches to end relia...
2023-12-05 Western Link road planning dec Western Link road planning decision sparks outrage amongst environmental groups
Tuesday 05 December, 2023
Following yesterday’s announcement that Norfolk County Council has given the green light for a planning applica...
2023-11-14 Shared vision revealed for Nor Shared vision revealed for Norwich nature reserve
Tuesday 14 November, 2023
We have revealed the emerging long-term vision for our newest nature reserve Sweet Briar Marshes. Sketches,...
2023-11-06 We've purchased a popular Hick We've purchased a popular Hickling pub!
Monday 06 November, 2023
We have announced that we are the new owners of the Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe.  ...