Protected Road Verge Scheme

Roadside verges strewn with wild flowers, on chalk downland and limestone grassland, are one of the distinctive aspects of the Wiltshire countryside. Under a scheme begun in 1970, around fifty road verges throughout the county are designated as Protected Road Verges because of their special habitat, species or ecological interest.

Typical species-rich communities found on the chalk and limestone verges support Pyramidal and Bee orchids, Field Scabious, Rock-rose and Fairy Flax. These verges also support rich invertebrate communities including Glow-worms and many species of butterflies.

Verges on clay soils support a varied neutral meadow flora including species such as Adder’s-tongue fern, Nettle-leaved Bellflower and Bath Asparagus. Ancient woodland verges in the Cotswolds in particular support a spectacular ground flora in the spring including species such as Solomon’s Seal and Fly Orchid. A verge near Chittoe supports the only Tower Mustard in the county, continually recorded there since 1670.

Unfortunately sandwiched between modern agricultural practices and heavy traffic, road verges are under threat of damage caused by vehicles parking on verges, pollution from vehicle emissions and salt spray, inappropriate planting, fly tipping and herbicide drift from adjacent farmland.

Wiltshire Council, their contractor Mouchel and the WSBRC work in partnership to protect and care for protected road verges.

Verges given protected status are carefully selected and have to meet rigorous criteria. They are marked with posts at either end. Each verge has an individual management plan designed to protect and enhance its flora and fauna.

Each verge has a volunteer who checks on the condition of the verge and is responsible for monitoring the biological interest. Reports from all the monitors are collated annually and used as a basis for ongoing management of the verge.

At present several of our verges are lacking a monitor due to volunteers leaving the area or retiring and we are therefore looking for people willing to take on a verge and visit it at least once a year to check on its condition and report back to the scheme.

We have vacancies at:

East Wiltshire - Conholt and Shalbourne
South Wiltshire - Fovant Down and Tilshead

If you would like to become a verge monitor please contact Hilary Thomas using the email form below, or contact her on 01380 725670 ext: 254