Transport and other infrastructure

Designing transport infrastructure to benefit biodiversity

Our transport infrastructure and the land that surrounds it can provide valuable habitats for wildlife, and even some open space for recreation (e.g. along disused railway lines).

Roads and railway lines often create natural corridors through otherwise intensively managed or developed areas. With a bit of careful thought on layout, design and management, such transport infrastructure can be used to the benefit of biodiversity and the people using them.

For example, road verge vegetation can be managed to retain or enhance natural flora, roundabouts can be planted with native species, new roads can be designed to avoid or mitigate cutting off pathways for animals, such as badgers and otters.

Read the following guidance on different aspects of the management of transport and infrastructure projects for the benefit of biodiversity. Discover more about landscapes and transport. 

Planning considerations

• Good practice guide for road schemes (RSPB)
• Green Infrastructure leaflet (European Commission)
• Green Infrastructure guidance (European Commission)
• The View from the Road (NatureScot)

Managing habitats around infrastructure

• Managing grassland road verges (Plantlife)
• The management of roadside verges for biodiversity (NatureScot)
• Urban grassland management (Newcastle City Council)
• Flowers on the verge: Planting on countryside road verges (Flora Locale)
• The Wildflower Handbook (Design Manual for Roads and Bridges)
• Scotland's native trees and shrubs: A designer's guide to their selection, procurement and use in road landscape (Scottish Government)

Managing species around infrastructure

• Species licensing A-Z guide (NatureScot)
• Bats and lighting in the UK (Bat Conservation Trust)
• Bats in Bridges (Bat Conservation Trust)
• Bats and buildings (Bat Conservation Trust)
• Toads on roads: Advice for planners and highway engineers (Froglife)
• Land management for butterflies (Scotland's Rural College)

For more information, see managing habitats for particular species.