Roadside verges are often overlooked as a habitat but with some changes to their management they can become wonderful wild spaces for animals and plants to thrive.
At present sixteen local verges have been selected as 'roadside reserves’. These verges don’t receive any treatment other than an adjustment to the cutting regime down to two cuts per year - early spring (cut) and late summer (cut and collect). The late summer grass cut and collect being the most essential to reduce the nutrients in the soil and reduce the dominance of the grasses in order for a greater diversity of wildflowers to become established. The maintenance is reviewed depending on the variety of plant communities that emerge. This takes a few seasons to assess but these verges are quickly becoming important wild spaces that can also provide some colour and interest for local residents to enjoy.
Signs saying ‘Growing Wild’ are placed on the verges to highlight the change in maintenance to both residents and our contractors.
Further information and precise locations can be found on RBWM Together.
For more information on our wildlife verges, please contact bnc@rbwm.gov.uk.
Outdoor Facilities Team
Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead
Town Hall
St Ives Road
Maidenhead
SL6 1RF
United Kingdom