Road verges - ecological protection scheme

Susan Davis made this Freedom of Information request to Somerset County Council

The request was partially successful.

From: Susan Davis

6 March 2009

Dear Sir or Madam,

If you run an ecological protection scheme for road verges in your
area, please could you provide me with the following details:

a) what protection measures a verge receives when it is included in
the scheme

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

c) 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

If you do not run such a scheme in your area, but you are aware
that another body does, please could you refer me to them instead.

Many thanks,

Susan Davis

Link to this

From: Somerset Direct - Generic
Somerset County Council

10 March 2009

Dear Susan,

Thank you for your email.
I have forwarded it onto our Roads & Transport for their attention. You will hear from them direct.

Kind regards
Susanne Nichols

Customer Advisor - Somerset Direct
Somerset County Council
A16/17 County Hall,Taunton, Somerset,TA1 4DY
www.somerset.gov.uk

Southwest One - working in partnership with Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council & Avon and Somerset Police.

South West One Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 6373780 Registered office:PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3AU

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Somerset Direct - Roads & Transport
Somerset County Council

10 March 2009

Good Morning

Thank you for your recent email to Somerset Direct.

I have now processed your request under the Freedom of Information Act and you will recieve a response within 20 working days.

If we can be of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind Regards

Craig Riddle
Customer Advisor - Somerset Direct
Somerset County Council

Roads & Transport: 0845 345 9155
Email: Roads&[email address]
SMS Text: 07781 482858

C Ground Floor, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Web : www.somerset.gov.uk

Southwest One - working in partnership with Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council & Avon and Somerset Police.

South West One Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 6373780
Registered Office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3AU

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

6 April 2009

Dear Craig,

I've not heard back from you since your reply on 10 March, so I
thought I'd email you to ask how you're getting on with preparing a
reply to my request.

Thanks,

Susan

Link to this

From: Somerset Direct - Roads & Transport
Somerset County Council

7 April 2009

Good Morning

I am sorry that you have not recieved a response as yet. The standard response time is 20 working days and so you will recieve a responce within this time scale.

I'm afraid it is not myself who is preparing the information so I am unable to provide you with any further details. The officer who is preparing your request is Sue Shelbourne ([email address]).

I hope this has been of assistance to you.

Kind Regards

Craig Riddle
Customer Advisor - Somerset Direct
Somerset County Council

Roads & Transport: 0845 345 9155
Email: Roads&[email address]
SMS Text: 07781 482858

County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Web : www.somerset.gov.uk

Southwest One - working in partnership with Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council & Avon and Somerset Police.

South West One Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 6373780
Registered Office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3AU

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

14 April 2009

Hi Craig,

I've not yet had a reply from Sue and I think the 20 days are now
up? Could you ask her to contact me with a progress update?

Thanks,

Susan

Link to this

From: Somerset Direct - Roads & Transport
Somerset County Council

15 April 2009

Dear Ms. Davis,

I am sorry that you have still not received a response. I have forwarded your email to Sue Shelbourne and asked that she responds to you directly. Her direct email address is [email address]. Should you require any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.

Regards,
Jennifer Boulton
Customer Advisor - Somerset Direct
Somerset County Council

Roads & Transport: 0845 345 9155
Email: Roads&[email address]
SMS Text: 07781 482858

C3, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Web : www.somerset.gov.uk

Southwest One - working in partnership with Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council & Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

South West One Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 6373780
Registered office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3AU

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Somerset Direct - Roads & Transport
Somerset County Council

15 April 2009

Dear Ms. Davis,

I have just been informed that Sue Shelbourne is out of the office until 20th April so she should deal with this for you on her return.

Regards,

Jennifer Boulton
Customer Advisor - Somerset Direct
Somerset County Council

Roads & Transport: 0845 345 9155
Email: Roads&[email address]
SMS Text: 07781 482858

C3, County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY

Web : www.somerset.gov.uk

Southwest One - working in partnership with Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council & Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

South West One Limited - Registered in England and Wales with number 6373780
Registered office: PO Box 41, North Harbour, Portsmouth, Hants PO6 3AU

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Jenny Berkley
Somerset County Council

15 April 2009

Attachment Special Road Verges.xls
23K Download View as HTML

Dear Ms Davis
I am following up the call that you placed with Somerset Direct in Susan
Shelbourne's absence, where you asked for a progress update on the
request that you submitted on the10th March 2009.
Please find below the response that was sent out on the 1st April 2009
from the Environment Directorate Information Compliance Officer.
This was originally sent to a different email address that we were
supplied with.
Yours sincerely
Jenny Berkley
Clerical Assistant - Environment
Somerset County Council
County Hall Taunton
Somerset TA1 4DY
Web: www.somerset.gov.uk

show quoted sections

This communication is intended solely for the person (s) or organisation to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged
and confidential information and if you are not the intended recipient (s), you must not copy, distribute or take any action
in reliance on it. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender and copy the message to
[email address]

Individuals are advised that by replying to, or sending an e-mail message to Somerset County Council, you accept
that you have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy.

In line with the Surveillance and Monitoring Policy, any e-mail messages (and attachments) transmitted over the
Council’s network may be subject to scrutiny.

Somerset County Council - An Excellent Four Star Authority

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

15 April 2009

Dear Jenny,

Thank you for your reply. The detail on reasons for designation for
some of these sites uses quite generic terms such as "flora" or
"orchids". Could you tell me whether you hold any more specific
information on the reasons for designation i.e. the actual notable
species present at each of the sites. Where the site is included in
the scheme as the result of a request from residents and you do not
have any further information, that's fine - it's only the verges
for which you have an ecological designation reason that I'm
interested in.

Yours sincerely,

Susan Davis

Link to this

From: Jenny Berkley
Somerset County Council

16 April 2009

Dear Ms Davis
Thank you for your request we will be in touch shortly concerning disclosure of the information you have requested.

Could I also advise you that Sue Shelbourne will be dealing with your query as the Environment Directorate Information Compliance Officer
and that I am acknowledging your letter in her absence.

Yours Sincerely

Jenny Berkley
Clerical/Admin Asst (FOI)
Environment Directorate
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset TA1 4DY

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Shelbourne
Somerset County Council

22 April 2009

Dear Ms Davis

Freedom of Information request

Thank you for your message requesting further information.

You requested:

'Could you tell me whether you hold any more specific information on the
reasons for designation i.e. the actual notable species present at each
of the sites. Where the site is included in the scheme as the result of
a request from residents and you do not have any further information,
that's fine - it's only the verges for which you have an ecological
designation reason that I'm interested in.'

I n answer to your enquiry -

I am afraid we do not hold any more specific information on the reasons
for designation.

Local Wildlife Sites occurring on road verges, and included as Special
Road Verges, are designated by Somerset Environmental Records Centre
<[1]http://www.somerc.com/>. The site details are held by SERC and
application should be made to them for further information. Most sites
are at the request of residents or have been informed by the Somerset
Rare Plants Group. The contact address for the Rare Plants Group is
listed on the Somerset Wildlife Trust website which I have included
below.

<[2]http://www.somersetwildlife.org/speciali...>

If you are dissatisfied with the way in which your request has been
dealt with, or the information you have received, you can make a
complaint or ask us to review our decision. Please send your complaints
to the Freedom of Information Officer, c/o Room A3 Ground floor, County
Hall, Taunton, TA1 4DY.

An internal review will then be carried out and we will write to you
with the results of our investigation. If you are not content with the
outcome of our review, you may then apply directly to the Information
Commissioner for a decision:

The Information Commissioner

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

Yours sincerely

Sue Shelbourne

Environment Directorate Information Compliance Officer

Business Development Group
Environment Directorate
tel: 01823 357224
[email address]

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

9 May 2009

Dear Susan,

Thank you for your reply. Would you be able to forward my request
on to Somerset Environmental Records Centre and ask them if they
would be able to get in touch?

Yours,

Susan Davis

Link to this

From: Susan Shelbourne
Somerset County Council

19 May 2009

Dear Ms Davis,
I am sorry I have not replied to you sooner.
I was going to forward your enquiry to SERC, as you requested, but I
realised that you had made two enquiries and I wasn't sure which
question you wanted to pursue. I have previously supplied SERC's contact
details, but I will forward your enquiry if you confirm the wording of
your request.

Regards,

Sue Shelbourne

Information Team Leader
Business Development Group
Environment Directorate
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
tel: 01823 357224
Email: [email address]
Web: www.somerset.gov.uk

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

20 May 2009

Dear Sue

Thanks for your email. What I would like from SERC is any
information they hold on the ecological interest of each of the
road verge sites included in the scheme. Hope that helps - if not,
do get back to me.

Yours,

Susan

Link to this

From: Susan Shelbourne
Somerset County Council

21 May 2009

Dear SERC,
I spoke to you earlier, and here is the request I outlined...

I am the Freedom of Information officer for SCC Environment directorate.
I have received a request for information from Ms Susan Davis, which she
has asked me to forward to you:
Ms Davis would like any information you hold on the ecological interest
of each of Local Wildlife Sites occurring on road verges, and designated
as Special Road Verges.
I am afraid I do not have contact details for Ms Davis, other than her
email address,

[FOI #8874 email]

Regards

Sue Shelbourne

Information Team Leader
Business Development Group
Environment Directorate
Somerset County Council
County Hall, Taunton
tel: 01823 357224
Email: [email address]
Web: www.somerset.gov.uk

This communication is intended solely for the person (s) or organisation to whom it is addressed. It may contain privileged
and confidential information and if you are not the intended recipient (s), you must not copy, distribute or take any action
in reliance on it. If you have received this e-mail in error please notify the sender and copy the message to
[email address]

Individuals are advised that by replying to, or sending an e-mail message to Somerset County Council, you accept
that you have no explicit or implicit expectation of privacy.

In line with the Surveillance and Monitoring Policy, any e-mail messages (and attachments) transmitted over the
Council’s network may be subject to scrutiny.

Somerset County Council - An Excellent Four Star Authority

Link to this

From: Emma Koblizek

28 May 2009

Dear Ms Davis

Your request was passed on to us by Susan Shelbourne in SCC, as we hold
information on Local Wildlife Sites for the county. I will be happy to
assist with your request, but will not be able to do so until the
beginning of next week. It would be useful to speak to you in person to
confirm exactly what information you require. Can you provide me with a
daytime contact number? You can reach me on 01823 664450.

Apologise for the delay in contacting you.

Kind regards

Emma

Emma Koblizek
Ecological Data Officer

Somerset Environmental Records Centre
Tonedale Mill, Wellington, Somerset TA21 0AW

Switchboard: 01823 664450
Web: www.somerc.com

The current version of our data search form is available via our website
http://www.somerc.com/downloads.php

This communication (including any attachments) is intended for the
addressee only. Nothing in this e-mail message amounts to a contractual
or any other legal commitment on the part of Somerset Wildlife Trust. We
make every effort to keep our network free of viruses and can take no
responsibility for any computer virus that might be transferred by this
e-mail. Somerset Wildlife Trust is a company limited by guarantee and
registered in England no. 818162. Registered charity no. 238372

show quoted sections

Link to this

From: Susan Davis

28 May 2009

Hi Emma,

Many thanks for getting in touch. Unfortunately I don't have a
daytime contact number, but I'm happy to be able to explain the
data that I'm looking for via email.

I'm carrying out a study of road verge protection schemes across
Britain, and for each authority which has one, two of the pieces of
information I'm asking for are:
a) a list of the protected verges
b) the reasons why those verges are protected (e.g. the presence of
notable species, or important habitats)

Somerset CC have been able to provide a list of their sites, with
the caveat that some of them may be included due to residents'
requests rather than because of any specific ecological interest.
You can see their reply online at:

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ro...

specifically the attachment to their 15 April reply.

However, SCC do not hold a lot of detail which would enable my
second question to be answered. What they suggested you may be able
to provide are the details relating to question b) above.

Anything you can provide would be of interest, but if you're
looking for a guide to the kind of thing I'm after, I would rate
Hampshire County Council's and West Sussex County Council's
responses as model answers. You can find these online at:

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ro...

http://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/ro...

I hope that helps - if you have any further queries, please do come
back to me.

Yours,

Susan Davis

Link to this

From: Kitty Straghan

2 June 2009

Attachment Job 1377 Species in Verges.xls
45K Download View as HTML

Dear Ms Davies,

Please find attached an excel spreadsheet with species records for the
verges you are interested in. Unfortunately we do not hold records for all
the verge sites on the list from SCC.

Also the information we have provided for you is accurate to 100m and
therefore it is possible that some of the records we have listed actually
fall just outside the verges and without a site visit there is no way of
knowing for definite.

Hopefully the information within the spreadsheet is self explanatory but
if you do have any queries please do not hesitate to contact us here at
SERC and we would be delighted to help you.

Kind Regards

Kitty Straghan,

Data and Support Assistant, SERC

Switchboard: 01823 664450
Direct: 01823 652401
Web: [1]www.somerc.com

This communication (including any attachments) is intended for the
addressee only. Nothing in this e-mail message amounts to a contractual
or any other legal commitment on the part of Somerset Wildlife Trust. We
make every effort to keep our network free of viruses and can take no
responsibility for any computer virus that might be transferred by this
e-mail. Company number 818162. Registered charity number 238372

References

Visible links
1. http://www.somerc.com/

Link to this

Things to do with this request

Anyone:
Somerset County Council only: