New Cambridgeshire Verge Plan To Boost Bees, Plants And Wildflowers

Changes to the way roadside verges are maintained in Cambridgeshire will see a boost to the county’s wildlife habitats and plant species.

As part of the county council’s commitment to improve Cambridgeshire's green credentials, the Highways and Transport committee has agreed a verge maintenance programme to boost biodiversity.

This will include protecting wildflowers and improving wildlife corridors, which are areas of land that connect species with habitats that would otherwise be separated by human activities. These corridors will provide habitats for many species, with a particular focus on pollinators such as bees.

A ‘cut and collect’ approach will also be trialled in some villages across the county. Grass cuttings will be removed, which will affect the fertility of soil and help wildflowers to grow and thrive. This will provide habitats for a number of species as well as a more aesthetic environment for people using the roads.

Extra trees will also be planted along Cambridgeshire’s highways. Currently, the policy is that when a tree is removed, it must be replaced by another tree. But now a policy change will see two trees planted for every one which is removed, with the aim to improve air quality in the area.

To maintain safety for drivers, more cuts will be carried out at areas which have bends in the road or where vision may be blocked.