Challenges in Managing Norfolk's Roadside Nature Reserves

Challenges in Managing Norfolk’s Roadside Nature Reserves Ed Stocker MCIEEM Ecologist, Norfolk County Council

Norfolk’s Roadside Verges • Norfolk has a total road network of around 10,000km (UK Government Statistics on Road Length 2016) with a further extensive network of Public Rights Of Way. • 112 Roadside Nature Reserves (RNR) (a total of 10miles)

• They are not just designated for flora, we have RNR’s for toads, water vole, fungi (Sandy stiltball), and a flint/chalk priory wall.

• In Norfolk, Roadside Nature Reserves Started in mid 1990’s and were managed on a local basis by NCC countryside officers, contractors, Norfolk Wildlife Trust, farmers , landowners.

Pyramidal Orchid Anacamptis pyramidalis

Crested cow wheat Melampyrum cristatum (Beetley)

Wall bedstraw Galium parisiense

Tower mustard Arabis glabra (Thetford (A134))

Sulphur clover Trifolium ochroleucon (Saxlingham Nethergate)

Previous Management (Invertebrate surveys took place before and after)

Currently: Reduced annual mowing by the NCC across the whole Road Network (10,000km).

This is one 1m swathe cut of the whole network in mid May, followed by an additional cut for visibility areas in July. (Bends, junctions, in front of road signs) RNR’s mown separately by hand. (Raked but not removed)

Working with Communities & Volunteers.

Norfolk Greenways: www.Norfolk.gov.uk/Greenways • Greenways offer a safe route for people and animals . to travel. Our study is focusing on the benefits of health, wellbeing, economy, increased biodiversity, • Norfolk County Council manages 12 long distance footpaths and an extensive network of footpaths, bridleways, and green lanes.

• Sympathetic and targeted management for biodiversity can be carried out more easily on these routes. Bigger, Better more joined up wildlife sites.

• Strong links and similarities with roadside habitats & species.

Email: norfolkgreenways@norfolk.gov.uk

2020 - 2021 NCC Environmental Policy November 2019 – www.Norfolk.gov.uk Recovering nature and enhancing the beauty of landscapes •Publishing a Norfolk 25-year Environmental Strategy for nature (a Pollinator Action Plan will be produced as a key element of our Environmental Strategy .

•Conserving and enhancing natural beauty Providing support for designated sites, including the Norfolk & Suffolk Broads, and the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Natura 2000 sites and species, and County Wildlife Sites.

•Respecting nature in how we use water

Norfolk’s Pollinator Action Plan

NCC Natural Environment Team Neti@Norfolk.gov.uk