Road Verge HAP draft actions, March 2008

Road Verge HAP draft actions, March 2008

(Please note, these actions are DRAFT, and are likely to change in the near future, but they are a good indication of the direction the Road Verge HAP is heading.)

Policy and Legislation

RVA01 Implement procedures to protect and avoid harm to statutory protected habitats and species.

Site Safeguard and Management

RVA02 Ensure utility companies know where Conservation Verges are and that they consult the BRC when working on or nearby a CV.

RVA03 Define criteria for the designation of Conservation Verges.

RVA04 Find new routes that are suitable for Green Corridor Action Plans.

RVA05 Find out the best way to incorporate the RVHAP into highways policies / review MaPS as a basis for the sympathetic management of roadside verges.

RVA06 Map all Conservation Verges.

RVA07 Ensure that all Conservation Verges have a management plan.

RVA08 Make reporting of injurious weed incidents easier through the SCC website.

RVA09 Investigate the potential for setting up a network of community based volunteers with an interest in road verges.

RVA10 New road schemes should have appropriate planting and link to the wider area, and avoid use of topsoil and vigorous grass species.

Advisory

RVA11 Train /advise contractors about use of appropriate machinery for verge management.

RVA12 Train volunteers about appropriate verge management and monitoring.

RVA13 Set up demonstration verges as exemplars for verge management and boundary features.

Research and Monitoring

RVA14 Establish procedures for the monitoring of Conservation Verges and other verges of known biodiversity interest.

RVA15 Ensure that habitat and species surveys and monitoring are co-ordinated and that information and data is made available to the Biological Records Centre.

RVA16 Implement programmes for road verge surveys in association with the development of Green Corridor Action Plans.

Communication and Publicity

RVA17 Establish procedures for effective communication between Surrey County Council and term contractors about the identification, location, protection and management of Conservation Verges.

RVA18 Set up events on exemplar sites, or other sites with good management practices.

RVA19 Set up and maintain Road Verge Habitat Action Plan webpages.

RVA20 Produce guidance for contractors about Conservation Verges and appropriate management of road verges.

RVA21 Produce a leaflet for the general public about the importance of road verges and how they can help.

Funding

RVA22 Review the budget implications for implementation of Green Corridor Action Plans and Conservation Verge management.

RVA23 Investigate funding opportunities for improved management and monitoring of verges, particularly Conservation Verges.