The new Environmental Roadside Grassland Management course has been developed specifically for the highways sector, providing practical guidance to help organisations transform roadside verges into safer, lower-maintenance and biodiversity-rich assets while continuing to meet operational and legal requirements.

Designed for local authorities, contractors, planners, ecologists and asset managers, the course supports a move away from reactive seasonal maintenance towards a strategic, year-round approach to verge management.

Responding to Growing Environmental Expectations

Roadside grasslands are increasingly recognised as valuable environmental assets that can support pollinators, improve climate resilience and contribute to wider biodiversity targets. However, highways authorities also face ongoing pressures around safety, compliance, budgets and public expectations.

The new CIHT Learn programme aims to bridge that gap by equipping professionals with practical tools and evidence-based strategies to deliver environmental improvements without compromising operational performance.

Through real-world case studies, applied learning and expert insight, participants will learn how to:

• Implement smarter mowing and zonal management strategies

• Reduce maintenance costs while improving ecological value

• Prioritise and map verges using data-led approaches

• Meet UK legal and policy requirements with confidence

• Communicate verge management changes effectively with stakeholders and the public

Supporting a Strategic Approach to Verge Management

The launch coincides with No Mow May, the annual campaign led by Plantlife which encourages people and organisations to allow wildflowers and grasses to grow naturally in support of biodiversity.

While public awareness around verge management continues to grow, the course focuses on helping highways professionals turn that momentum into long-term, scalable action across the road network.

The programme also addresses operational challenges including contractor coordination, green waste management, workforce skills, finance, compliance and public engagement.

Practical Learning for Highways Professionals

The course is delivered through flexible, bite-sized online modules and provides two hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Modules cover:

• Public Value of Road Verges

• Biodiversity Risks, Opportunities & Legal Duties

• Operational & Financial Opportunities

• Best Practice Solutions & Overcoming Challenges

Learning outcomes include understanding biodiversity risks affecting roadside habitats, applying low-maintenance mowing regimes, selecting suitable planting approaches and using GIS and data-led prioritisation tools.

Developed with Industry Expertise

The course has been authored by Plantlife, whose award-winning road verge campaign has worked with communities, highway authorities and contractors across the UK to improve verge management practices.

The programme has also been supported and reviewed by industry and academic specialists including:

• Dr Debbie Bartlett CMLI, FCIEEM – Emeritus Professor of Environmental Conservation, University of Greenwich

• Terry Wilkinson BEng, MCIHT – Specialist Design & Application Engineer, ACO Water Management

• Mark Schofield MSc – Road Verges Adviser

• Andy Jennings-Giles BSc (Hons) – Senior Ecological Adviser 

Course Availability

The course is free for CIHT fee-paying members and learner licence holders, with discounted rates available for CIHT non-fee paying members

Further information and course registration are available via CIHT Learn.