The trial which started in March 2023, lasted for an initial period of two years to enable the correct length of time for wildflowers to establish. The sites received one cut and collection annually, and were regularly framed and sightlines were maintained. Feedback was gathered from residents through an online questionnaire, enquiries and engagement plans during the trial period.
Feedback to our online survey showed in summary that:
68 per cent of people were supportive when responding to how they felt about a specific location increasing to 75 per cent when asked about the scheme overall.
Respondents were particularly supportive of the trial in Addington Road, Downs Hill, River Pool Walk and Warren Road, but less in other locations.
People were generally supportive in more rural locations where their impact was perceived to be less.
Walkover surveys were undertaken on the verges during the trial period. These surveys showed that:
80 different floral species were recorded across the 11 sites in 2023, increasing to 113 by 2024.
A wide variety of floral species were found across the trial sites with numbers summarised and notable species named:
A table showing the wide variety of floral species that were found across the trial sites with numbers summarised and notable species named. Column one shows the location, column two shows the floral species in 2023, column three shows the floral species in 2024 and column four shows notable species present.
Location
Floral species in 2023
Floral species in 2024
Notable species present
Addington Road
30
41
Cinnabar Moth (Tyria jacobaeae)
Beadon Road
18
37
Copers Cope Road
20
20
Court Road
36
52
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)
Marbled White Butterfly (Melanargia galathea)
Downs Hill Road
15
27
Northfield Avenue
20
17
Ormonde Avenue
16
22
Pickhurst Lane
16
22
Riverpool Walk
32
20
Rangefield Road
14
31
Warren Road
21
55
Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)
Pyramidal Orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)
Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsii)
On the whole it was felt that the verges were producing the required biodiversity benefits.
Following review of the trial data, the following verges are to be converted into permanent Nature Friendly Verges owing to a combination of either strong resident support and/or evidence of strong biodiversity benefit:
Addington Road (West Wickham)
Court Road (Orpington)
Downs Hill and Ravensbourne Avenue (Shortlands and Park Langley)
Ormonde Avenue (Farnborough and Crofton)
Pickhurst Lane and Pickhurst Mead (Hayes and Coney Hall)
Rangefield Road Footpath (Plaistow)
River Pool Walk (Penge and Cator)
Warren Road (Chelsfield)
These verges will continue to receive just one cut and collection annually, with signage to identify them as a permanent nature friendly verge. The council will continue with its monitoring to ensure that they still provide the anticipated benefits to biodiversity.
Following review of the data, the following sites will be removed from the scheme, owing to a combination of either not receiving resident support and/or because they did not appear to be delivering the required biodiversity benefits:
Beadon Road (Bromley Town)
Copers Cope Road (Beckenham Town and Copers Cope)
Northfield Avenue (St Mary Cray)
These verges will revert to the traditional management regime whereby mowing will keep the verges neat and tidy, with the schedule aiming to maintain the verges at a set length, not set cutting frequencies.
