Nature-friendly zones
We've removed grass on a number of verges across the borough to make these into nature-friendly zones.
Nature-friendly zones are areas where flowers packed with pollen and nectar are planted to create natural corridors for bees and insects. They allow entire ecosystems to flourish by providing bees and insects with shelter and somewhere to hunt, feed and breed.
How long will it take to see flowers in nature-friendly zones?
It will take around 2 years for the nature-friendly zones to grow a green matt and some colourful flowers. We planted seeds on the verges in June and July 2019, so you may begin to see flowers and wildlife in the zones by August 2021.
Which areas are being improved with nature-friendly zones?
Hundreds of different grass verges across the borough are being improved. We've a total of 500,000 square metres of grass verges which we'll be turning into nature-friendly space. This is the equivalent of 100 football pitches.
We've placed signs in the new nature-friendly zones so you can identify them.
Why are we creating nature-friendly zones?
We're creating nature-friendly zones because:
- According to the Royal Horticulture Society, 97% of wildflower meadows in the UK have been lost since 1945. One of the biggest problems for pollinators is a lack of flowering plants, especially those packed with pollen and nectar. It's therefore important we create new areas for flowers to grow.
- The European Commission says 10% of pollinating insects are on the verge of extinction, and a third of bee and butterfly species is declining. We hope these zones will increase the number of insects in the borough.
- The zones will create an attractive roadside environment whilst growing slower than wildflower meadows making it easier for us to manage and helping to keep costs down.