L8. By 2008, develop approaches to signage and road improvement and maintenance works that better reflect the distinctive rural character of the National Park, and introduce
Progress status: Amber light shows that some progress is being
made towards achieving this objective.
Progress update:
a) Discussions have been taking place between Cumbria County Council and stakeholders on addressing signage and road markings to ensure compatibility with the local character and safety.
North Yorkshire County Council has undertaken work with regards to signing in the National Park area and a programme of sign minimisation identified and funded, work is currently underway within the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority area.
b) Cumbria County Council has a policy to cut roadsideverges to ensure that people can use the roads safely, whilst taking into account biodiversity considerations. Verges has been surveyed and classified according to the botanical content. The cutting times are based on these classifications, and allow the plants to seed. Some verges are cut early in the year and some later in July through to September.
In February 2008, Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority began a 3-year project to work with North Yorkshire County Council and local communities to improve the management of flower-rich road verges across the National Park. Over the course of the project we intend to produce management plans for at least fifty verges that will lead to practical action to improve the species-richness of these verges.
Last updated April 2008
