Craig Blackwell used to be the County Ecologist at Oxfordshire County Council between 1990 and 2009 and one of his first jobs was establishing the Road Verge Nature Reserve (RVNR Programme)
These findings suggest that several road verges can be improved through patient restoration works in the appropriate locations and that local communities can play a valuable role in this regard. Similarly, many verges are benefiting from a more relaxed management regime. A community group could consider raking off the cuttings (arisings) to prevent rotting vegetation enriching the soil or smothering wildflowers, especially if there is a lot left in situ.
However, surveys conducted a few years ago revealed that only 16 of the 53 calcareous road verge nature reserves are recognised as being in good condition.
There is still a lot to do.
*The current RVNR report is available here: https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/residents/environment-and-planning/biodiversity-action/road-verge-nature-reserves
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