Dear Ms. Davis,

Ref FOI Freedom of Information Request : FOI 287082

I acknowledge the receipt of your e-mail dated 7th March 2009 requesting the following information.

If Swindon Borough Council run an ecological protection scheme for road verges in our area, can we provide you with the following details:

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

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

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 we do not run such a scheme in our area, but are aware that another body does, please inform you of their details.

Your request was received on 7th March 2009 and I am dealing with it under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

The Council has a duty to respond promptly or no later than 20 working days, which in this case is 3rd April 2009.

If you have any queries about this letter please contact me. Please remember to quote the reference number above in all future communications.

Yours sincerely,

Ceri Stephens
Performance Officer
Environment & Regeneration
Swindon Borough Council
Tel: 01793 466220
e-mail: [email address]

"The views expressed in this email are personal and may not necessarily reflect those of Swindon Borough Council unless explicitly stated otherwise.
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you should not copy it for
any purpose, or disclose its contents to any other person.
Senders and recipients of email should be aware that, under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information Act 2000, the contents may
have to be disclosed.
This footnote also confirms that this email has been swept by McAfee Anti-Virus software for the presence of computer viruses. However, Swindon
Borough Council cannot accept liability for viruses that may be in this email and we recommend that you check all emails with an appropriate virus
scanner."

Dear Ms. Davis,

Re: FOI Freedom of Information Request : - FOI 287082

I enclose the following information that you requested under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

a) What protection measures a verge receives when it is included in our ecological protection scheme?

Answer :- Fresden site - A single swathe no more than 1 metre is cut for road traffic safety. The remaining areas are left uncut between 1st May and 30th September. The application of herbicides and other chemicals is not permitted within 3 metres of the danewort.

Wanborough Plain site - The verge is left uncut between April and September. Car Parking is discouraged to ensure survival of the grass vetchling.

b) Locations?

Answer :- Fresden, C142 Fresden Farm, Highworth. SU226923 to 230928

Wanborough Plain, King Edwards Place, Wanborough. SU2177 8194 to 2198 8172

c) Species?

Answer:- Fresden - Danewort, or dwarf elder (Sambucus ebulus)

Wanborough Plain - Yellow vetchling, (Lathyrus aphaca), Broad leaved Helleborine (Epipactis helleborine), Greater Knapweed (Centaurea scabiosa).

If you are unhappy with the service you have received in relation to your request and wish to make a complaint you should contact:

Customer Services
Civic Offices
Euclid Street
Swindon
Website: www.[Swindon Borough Council request email]

If you require any further information concerning this matter please contact me quoting the reference number at the top of the of the letter.

Yours sincerely,

Ceri Stephens
Performance Officer
Environment & Regeneration
Swindon Borough Council
Tel: 01793 466220
e-mail: [email address]

"The views expressed in this email are personal and may not necessarily reflect those of Swindon Borough Council unless explicitly stated otherwise.
This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed.
If you have received this email in error, please notify me immediately. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you should not copy it for
any purpose, or disclose its contents to any other person.
Senders and recipients of email should be aware that, under the Data Protection Act 1998 and Freedom of Information Act 2000, the contents may
have to be disclosed.
This footnote also confirms that this email has been swept by McAfee Anti-Virus software for the presence of computer viruses. However, Swindon
Borough Council cannot accept liability for viruses that may be in this email and we recommend that you check all emails with an appropriate virus
scanner."