Road Verge Meadow Project - N77

In 2025, Abbeyleix Tidy Towns, in partnership with Laois County Council, delivered Year 1 of a multi-annual biodiversity enhancement project focused on road verges along the N77 in Abbeyleix. The project aims to restore species-rich grassland habitat using pollinator-friendly management techniques, in line with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) Pollinator Corridor Guidelines, and Plantlife’s Road Verge Management Guide.

Three verge sites were originally identified based on verge width, ecological potential, and road safety considerations. However, two of the three sites became unsuitable due to drainage works undertaken by Laois County Council. In response, an extended roadside verge adjacent to Abbeyleix Bog was selected as a replacement, offering excellent potential for biodiversity restoration and ecological connectivity with the bog habitat.

The site was managed using a late-season “cut and lift” regime designed to reduce soil fertility, allow native wildflowers to set seed, and support the gradual regeneration of diverse grassland flora. Works were completed by a qualified contractor under appropriate traffic management, and the project was supervised by local ecologists, who conducted baseline botanical surveys and oversaw the implementation of the management plan.

Survey data from Year 1 will serve as a baseline for comparison in future years, with ecological monitoring planned annually over the five-year cycle. While this was the initial year of intervention, the management approach is grounded in well-established evidence that such regimes lead to improved botanical diversity and increased pollinator activity over time.

The project was publicly profiled during the 2025 Wild Bee Festival, delivered in conjunction with the National Biodiversity Data Centre as part of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan. It continues into Year 2 with enhanced data, refined methods, and strong local support for biodiversity-led verge management.