Conservation Road Verges in Gloucestershire

1. Background

In 1989 the Gloucestershire Trust for Nature Conservation (now the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust [GWT]) identified roadside verges in Gloucestershire that were the most valuable areas in need of protection. Gloucestershire County Council recognised these sites and as far as possible carried out highways maintenance operations such as grass cutting in the recommended manner.

When the system was set up there were two types of road verges that were noted as being of particular value.

Type 1 verges were those that exhibited particular rare or unusual flora or fauna, and were marked with white posts. In addition verges that displayed good flora of more general interest were also identified.

Type 2 verges were those which formed part of, or which were situated adjacent to, nature reserves or Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs).

A register produced by GWT detailed these sites; contained sketch maps and included brief management recommendations. This register soon became very out of date and was in need of review.

In 2006 it was agreed to finance a rolling programme of survey and review of roadside verges. This would provide a revised roadside verge register and GIS digital boundaries.

2. Relationship with other nature conservation designations.

There are presently over 120 SSSIs in Gloucestershire that are protected under the provisions of the amended Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. About a quarter of these sites are designated for their geological importance. Some of the sites are of international importance and are Special Protection Areas (SPAs), Ramsar sites or Special Areas of Conservation (SACs).

The conservation of the county's wildlife heritage also demands a strategy that addresses the needs of wildlife in the wider countryside. The identification and conservation of a wider network of important wildlife sites known, as Key Wildlife Sites (KWSs) is a major element in such a strategy. The importance of non-statutory sites is recognised in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and locally in the Biodiversity Action Plan for Gloucestershire.

Designated Conservation Road Verges (CRVs) sit apart from KWSs, although in some instances they are closely related, for example where a rare plant is found on a road verge it may be more appropriate to identify the site as a KWS which has a higher status. DEFRA has published `Local Sites - Guidance on their identification, selection and management' which although targeted on KWSs is of relevance to CRVs too.

3. What is Biodiversity

Biological diversity or biodiversity is the variety of living organisms and systems in terms of habitats, species and local genetic diversity. The 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro set in train a process that has resulted, in Gloucestershire, in the production of a Local Biodiversity Action Plan which includes targeted action plans for those species and habitats which are considered to be of prime importance in the county. Those organisations and individuals who have the responsibility and power to implement the actions and achieve change on the ground have drawn up the document.

Following a `Best Value Review' by the County Council in 2002 a 'Highways Maintenance Biodiversity Action Plan' (HMBAP) was produced and adopted. The HMBAP included actions to survey, monitor and enhance `Conservation Road Verges' where this is possible. Regular meetings are now set up between Gloucestershire Highways, the County Ecologist, the Wildlife Trust and the Cotswold AONB to follow up the implementation of the HMBAP.

4. Biodiversity in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is a highly diverse county ranging from the Wye Valley with its ancient ravine woodlands in the west, to the streams of the Cotswold plateau in the east. The county fits into three key Natural Areas, the acid grassland, bogs, heathland, and oak woodland in the Forest of Dean. The Severn Vale and its floodplain which is important for bird-life, especially wintering wildfowl and breeding waders, and the Cotswold escarpment with acres of unspoilt limestone grassland and beech woodland. The Natural Area framework has been developed to reflect wildlife, underlying geology, soils and culture of different parts of the UK. The framework integrates national and local priorities and has been adopted to promote local delivery of Biodiversity Action Plan targets.

5. Conservation Road Verges in the Planning system

As non-statutory sites, CRVs do not have any legal protection however; they are given protection through forward planning and development control systems. Advice given in Planning Policy Statement (PPS9) highlights the need to take the conservation and enhancement of nature conservation into account in all planning activities. Paragraph 9 of PPS9 sets out how Local Sites should be dealt with.

6. Conservation Road Verges and the NERC Act 2006

Section 40(1) of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 states `Every public authority must, in exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with proper exercise of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity'. The applies to all Local Authorities and means biodiversity assets associated with roadside verges are a material consideration in highways maintenance as well as new road schemes and new developments.

7. Selection and Designation of Conservation Road Verges

Criteria have been drawn up in an attempt to deliver a more scientific and consistent approach to the identification of important roadside verges across the county (see attached appendix). As far as is practicable these criteria have been based on the standard ones recommended by DEFRA for Local Sites (2006). It is recognised that, particularly within villages and towns, there can be roadside verges that local people may wish to see managed for wildlife. Such verges can be considered for designation as Conservation Road Verges (criteria No. 6) but only if they meet at least one of the new scientific criteria (criteria Nos. 1 to 5). The criteria do not aim to identify every roadside site with biodiversity interest, but rather to set a threshold to identify those that have significant value.

A proportion of Gloucestershire's existing registered roadside verges will be re-surveyed and re-assessed each year. In addition to this a selection of new sites (from recommendations) may also be surveyed and assessed. Survey and assessment will result in a proposal to incorporate a roadside verge site into a revised Conservation Road Verge Register or not.

Proposed sites will be considered against the ability of the County Council to manage sites in association with the highway network. CRVs will only be designated where their management is compatible with highway safety and operational requirements. It is possible that confirmation and management of CRVs may also be compromised by landscape, archaeological or other environmental constraints. A draft document of CRV proposals will be agreed and reviewed by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust and the County Council. The draft document will be sent out for consultation with the relevant AONBs, District and parish or town councils.

The final designation of CRVs and their ongoing management is agreed between the County Council and the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust taking account of the views of consultees. The CRV Register will be updated and as part of a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the County Council, GCER will digitise new site boundaries where needed and disseminate them to the County Council for use in its GIS system. Through GCER the CRV information will be made available to those requesting it.

8. References

DEFRA (2006) “Local Sites - Guidance on their Identification, Selection and Management.”

GCC (2003) “Highways Maintenance Biodiversity Action Plan 2003-2008” -under review.

ODPM (2005) “Planning Policy Statement 9: Biodiversity and Geological Conservation.”

APPENDIX to `Conservation Road Verges in Gloucestershire'

Criteria for the Selection of Potential Conservation Road Verges

A site is selected as a potential CRV if it meets either:

A. Criteria 1 or 2

OR

B. Two of criteria 3, 4, 5 or 6

Criteria:

1. Habitat (Diversity and Naturalness)

Areas of semi-natural neutral, limestone and acidic grassland which are identified as one or more of the NVC types in Table 1 and which support 10 or more species from Table 2

Table 1

Table 2

2. Scarce or Rare Species (Rarity and Fragility)

One of the best county sites for a RDB, near threatened, Glos./UK BAP or legally protected species.

3. Connectivity

Is adjacent to, extends or connects a Key Wildlife Site or SSSI.

4. Size or Extent

On a county basis is a verge that supports an outstandingly high concentration and/or area/length of one of Primula veris (Cowslip), Narcissus pseudonarcissus (Wild Daffodil), Geranium pratense (Meadow Cranesbill), Hyacinthoides non-scripta (Bluebell), Onobrychis viciifolia (Sainfoin) or any orchid species.

5. Potential

Recovery and/or creation of biodiversity value is a significant opportunity and will be implemented by the County Council as Highways Authority.

6. Social (Value for Appreciation of Nature or Culture)

Many people value roadside verges, not just for their biodiversity value but also for different reasons. They may be attractive area to walk alongside, they may provide a colourful view from a property, or a car on a regular route, or could provide an attractive entrance into a village. Whatever the reason many road-verges are valued at a local level for reasons other than ecological ones.

The inclusion of `social' road-side verges identified by local people who feel some association with the site helps not only to engage the local community in `having a say' in local road verge management but also helps to assist in the understanding and consideration given to wildlife through for example the planning process.

Social Evaluation Factors

a) Is the site adjacent to, or overlooked by, a residential area, i.e. a housing estate or large part of a village?

b) Does the verge also have a footpath, cycleway or bridleway?

c) Does it provide an `entrance' into a settlement, i.e. is adjacent to?

d) Is there any local historical or geological interest?

e) Is the verge being proposed by the local parish or town council?

If any of the above questions can be answered `Yes' then the criteria is met.

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CRVs in Gloucestershire

19/06/2006