Road verges - ecological protection scheme

Dear Ms Davis,

Thank you for your request for information regarding road verges, which
was received on 8th March, 2009 and is being dealt with under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. We are therefore required to provide
you with a response within 20 working days, which will be on or before
3rd April, 2009.

If we require any clarification or further details, we will contact you
as soon as possible.

In the meantime, if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to
contact me, remembering to quote the reference number above in any
communications.

Yours sincerely

John Tillman
Swyddog Gwybodaeth a Diogelu Data
Adran y Prif Weithredwr
Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin

Information & Data Protection Officer
Chief Executive's Department
Carmarthenshire County Council

Tel: (01267) 246108
Mewnol/Internal: 6108
Ffacs/Fax: (01267) 246134

show quoted sections

Dear Ms Davis,

I refer to your request for information regarding highway verges, which
was received on 8th March, 2009 and has been dealt with under the
Environmental Information Regulations 2004 as it concerns measures and
activities which affect the environment.

The specific information you requested was as follows:

1. What protection measures a verge receives when it is included in the
scheme.

2. The list of verges covered by the scheme (and their locations - road
name/number and six figure OS grid references would be fine).

3. For each verge, the specific reasons why the verge has been included in
the scheme - i.e. the notable species found there, or the NVC community
present.

In response, please find attached is a list of roadside verge nature
reserves that have been set up in the County, which includes the reasons
they have been designated, the species present and measures to manage
them.

These verges were selected based on surveys undertaken by ecological
consultants at sites that were drawn to our attention through a survey of
species-rich verges in the County.

<<RSNR List for Highways.pdf>> <<Verge Cutting Guidelines.pdf>>

Initially 15 verges were designated `Roadside Nature Reserves' - one was
subsequently withdrawn. The verges in question have been marked with
posts. The ecological consultants also indicated recommended management
for these verges, which, by and large, was to continue the same cutting
regime. It should be noted that verges are managed primarily under the
Highways Act which gives the Council a duty to manage verges in the
interests of highway safety, with managing biodiversity also a
consideration.

In addition, guidance is provided to Highways staff each spring on
managing verges for biodiversity and these are attached.

Finally, I would add that in partnership with the Wildlife Trust we are
looking to survey verges as part of a project called Tywi Afon yr
Oesoedd/Tywi a River Through Time project, which focusses on the Tywi
Valley's landscape from Dryslwyn to Llangadog. Its aim is to improve the
conservation and management of this landscape and it is therefore possible
that more verges may be designated through this project.

If I can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact
me.

Yours sincerely

John Tillman
Swyddog Gwybodaeth a Diogelu Data
Adran y Prif Weithredwr
Cyngor Sir Gaerfyrddin

Information & Data Protection Officer
Chief Executive's Department
Carmarthenshire County Council

Tel: (01267) 246108
Mewnol/Internal: 6108
Ffacs/Fax: (01267) 246134

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