Runnymede roundabout, and the roadside verges surrounding it, are looking like a wildlife oasis, due to Coronavirus lockdown.
We are asking the Council NOT to mow it, but instead to develop it by adding more wildflowers in the coming years for the benefit of bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.
The cost of this will be easily offset through the reduced mowing schedule.
Why is this important?
A third of British wild bees and hoverflies are in decline, according to a study in 2019. If current trends continue, some species will be lost from Britain altogether, the scientists say. Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-47698294
The new analyses provide further evidence of the serious, long-term and ongoing decline of UK butterflies, with 70% of species declining in occurrence (based on the BNM distribution data) and 57% declining in abundance (based on the UKBMS) since 1976. Source: Butterfly Conservation.
If we want to protect the local ecosystem, we must re-introduce habitats.
The Runnymede roundabout, and the surrounding verges, provide an excellent starting point, while also saving the Council money through a reduced mowing schedule.