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WELCOME TO CHESHIRE BIODIVERSITY
PART OF THE CHESHIRE REGION BIODIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP

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ROADSIDE VERGES
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Roadside vergeLinks to associated SAPs

None

Current Status

The 3,200 kilometres of roads in the Cheshire region provide a valuable wildlife resource and contribute to the wildlife corridor network. A small proportion have retained fragments of unique habitat from an earlier period whilst new verges have provided the opportunity for both created and pioneering plant communities. In 1973 a survey of verges identified 80 sites of nature conservation interest with 8 sites listed as of national importance. Presently 4 roadside verges are included in the County Council register of Sites of Biological Importance (SBI).

In a 1995 Cheshire Roadside Verge Survey 115 sites were included, with a number of previously unrecorded sites being identified in Chester City Council's Nature Conservation Audit. Of the 8 sites listed in 1973 one has been largely lost to abuse/ fly tipping; at another three sites the unique flora was not traced; at two sites the extent of meadow cranesbill is still evident and the remaining two sites retain a locally diverse flora. Of the 85 sites surveyed in 1995, 30 sites may be considered for SBI status. In addition there are 33 SBIs adjacent to roads where a survey of the verge would be appropriate.

All road verges are maintained to a minimum standard to comply with safety requirements. In 2002 Cheshire County Council will take over responsibility for Trunk Roads, currently maintained by the Highways Agency. Ragwort is dealt with by hand pulling in areas where a particular problem is identified

Of these 18 sites with an area greater than 1ha, 15 have SSSI status and so are managed by an association between individual landowners and English Nature. In addition, the Dee Estuary and a smaller area of reedbed (Frodsham Marsh) have held international and European status, being designated as RAMSAR sites since December 1995, and Special Protection Areas under the 1979 EC Habitats Directive, respectively. Bound by the EC Directive the government is required to take special measures to conserve the habitat of rare, vulnerable and/or regularly migrating species.

Roadside verge at Mickle TraffordThreats

How are we helping to conserve Roadside Verges in the Cheshire region?

Objectives, Targets and Actions

OBJECTIVES

LOCAL TARGETS

  • To identify, maintain and enhance old roadside verges with characteristic local flora.
    To promote the importance of roadside verges as wildlife habitat by encouraging sympathetic new planting and management regimes.
  • Targets awaited

ACTION REQUIRED

  • Form a Local BAP Action Group for verges.
  • Develop a systematic survey to give an insight into the Regional resource.
  • Formulate a cost-effective scheme for marking and maintaining special verges.
  • Agree a best practice code for reseeding/planting of verges for biodiversity in different habitats.
  • Create a bid for funding to implement the best practice code.
  • Produce a leaflet for the benefit of elected representatives and the general public.
  • Provide copies of individual verge surveys to the local community.
  • Involve local communities in monitoring their special verge and encourage them to recognise other sites in their locality.
  • Consider the addition of more verges into the SBI register using the 1995 data.
  • Include verges in surveys of adjacent wildlife sites.
  • Provide advice on maintenance contracts for future verge management.
  • Provide advice at the design stage for new road schemes

Progress so far

2005 Action Completed
  • None

Contact details

LBAP Chair Mike Wellman, Cheshire County Council
Phone: 01244 603195

References & Glossary

HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 1: Meeting the Rio Challenge, London.
HMSO (1995): Biodiversity: The UK Steering Group Report, Volume 2:Action Plans, London.

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