Roadside Verges for Wildlife

The NEP is seeking to develop a network of roadways where changes to the management can be made to improve countywide environmental benefit, by providing environmental corridors between areas of high-quality habitats. We have been looking at roadside verge management in partnership with colleagues from Buckinghamshire Council, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes Environmental Records Centre, Chilterns Conservation Board and others.

We recognise the huge potential for wildlife and its contribution to Biodiversity Action Plan targets, including the establishment of wildflowers and encouragement of pollinators. A project is underway to look at the potential for better road verge management for wildlife, engaging with national specialists on road verge management and local wildlife groups. 

As part of this project, we have developed a Wilder Road Verges Toolkit with guidance on getting started managing road verges (and other green spaces) for wildlife. Visit our Creating Wilder Spaces page for more information or download the Wilder Road Verges Toolkit.