Laura Sharman 14 May 2018

Air pollution destroying roadside flowers warns charity

Air pollution and bad management have caused the diversity of wildflowers on road verges to fall by 20%, new research has found.

The study, by Plantlife, shows that Britain’s wild flowers are being overtaken by invasive plants that thrive on nitrogen-rich soil such as stinging nettle and bramble.

The charity warns these 'nitrogen guzzlers' are crowding out some of the rarest and most threatened species.

Dr Trevor Dines, Plantlife botanical specialist, said: ‘Poor management has combined with pollution to create a perfect storm. Not only have councils adopted an over-eager regime that sees flowers cut down before they can set seed, but the mowings left on the verge simply add to the soil richness.

‘Under this management, summer-flowering plants such as eyebright and harebell are disappearing and only the toughest of characters - like nettle and bramble – are prospering.’

Research by Plantlife estimates that better management of road verges could deliver 400 billion more flowers, the equivalent of 6,300 per person in the UK.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Richmond, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Practice Supervisor

North Yorkshire Council
£47,181 - £51,356 per annum, pro rata
The service very much promotes flexible working with the ability to work remotely from other bases, as well as working from home Northallerton, North Yorkshire
Recuriter: North Yorkshire Council

Legal Assistant Litigation

Durham County Council
£30,024 to £33,699 p.a. (Grade 7)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a legal assistant to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHA Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Customer Services Assistants

Durham County Council
£24,790 to £25,992 p.a. (Grade 4)
A vacancy has arisen within Transactional and Customer Services for two  Customer Services Assistant working full time, 37 hours per week. Your primar Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Litigation Lawyer

Durham County Council
£47,181 to £51,356 p.a. (Grade 13)
The Council’s Regulatory & Enforcement team is expanding and is looking to appoint a lawyer to support and enhance its litigation work.   WHAT IS INVO Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner