Donal Hickey: More wildflowers please!

A new Networks for Nature project could see more appreciation given to the wildlife value of roadside verges

How are the roadsides and roundabouts in your area? Are they lush with wildlife or have they been hacked back?

It seems the importance of road verges for wild flowers and plants is being more widely accepted with each passing year. As wildflower meadows have largely disappeared, luxuriant growth on roadsides could act as a replacement.

Local authorities appear to be more inclined to let vegetation grow on road verges, balancing safety issues with the need to let nature and wildlife flourish.