Guidance

Changing verge mowing regimes can significantly boost biodiversity. Requires careful planning and communication. Refer to guidance from Plantlife, Buglife, local councils implementing schemes.

Site Selection & Assessment: Identify suitable verges. Consider safety (sightlines at junctions/bends still require short mowing), existing botanical interest, soil type, public perception. Not all verges suitable for full meadow management.

Mowing Regimes: Shift from frequent amenity cuts (e.g., 6-8 times/year) to less frequent regimes: Option 1 (Basic Improvement): Reduce cuts to 2 per year (e.g., late spring, late summer), remove cuttings. Option 2 (Meadow Management): One main cut per year (late summer/early autumn - July/August/September, after most flowers have set seed), PLUS potentially an early spring cut (March/April) in fertile areas to reduce grass vigour. CRITICAL: Remove all cuttings ('cut and collect') to reduce soil fertility and prevent smothering wildflowers. Leave some areas uncut over winter as refuge habitat if possible.

Safety & Visibility Splays: Maintain essential safety sightlines at junctions, bends, and access points with regular short mowing (e.g., 1m visibility strip along carriageway edge). Clearly define these areas.

Equipment: Requires machinery capable of cutting longer grass and collecting arisings (e.g., flail collector mower, or cut with one machine and collect with another like a forage harvester/vacuum). Standard amenity mowers often unsuitable.

Enhancement (Optional): On low-diversity verges, consider scarification and overseeding with appropriate native wildflower seed mix (local provenance preferred) after implementing reduced mowing/cut-and-collect for a period to reduce fertility.

Communication & Signage: Essential to manage public perception. Explain the reasons for changed management (e.g., signs like 'Managed for Wildlife', leaflets, council website). Engage local community.

Monitoring: Monitor botanical changes and public feedback.