Without removal of the herbage, through grazing or cutting, the soil becomes more fertile and this leads to the dominance of certain species, such as cow parsley, meadowsweet, certain grasses, thistles and nettles and the loss of smaller easily smothered flowers.

The Council therefore removes the cuttings from the Special Verges and cuts the full verge width more frequently. This helps to reduce the rate of build up of soil fertility and the mat of vegetation that would smother the less competitive plants.

How does Cumbria Wildlife Trust help?

In 2002, together with Cumbria County Council, Cumbria Wildlife Trust developed a Roadside Verges Volunteer Network whereby volunteers carried out botanical surveys of the Special Verges. This survey work has proved to be an invaluable resource and is helping officers at the County Council to understand how the verges are responding to current management. The information gained in the surveys has also helped the County Council to respond more effectively to local concerns such as road works and other activities that might damage the verges.

How can you help to conserve Cumbria's roadside verges?

• take an interest in your local verges, and talk to others about what you see.
• if you see someone damaging a verge near you and feel confident in approaching who is responsible, then have a word with him or her.
• if you don't know who is damaging a verge, or don't feel confident in approaching someone whom you know is responsible, then consider contacting one of the organisation listed under contacts.
• if you have a verge by your property, don't waste time and energy turning it into a lawn. Just enjoy what grows there.
• try to avoid driving on verges unless you have to, as this kills plants and damages the soil structure.
• although it might seem like a public-spirited thing to do, please do not plant bulbs or other cultivated plants on roadside verges. Save them for your garden.