00642 Verges Booklet - Devon County Council

disappear and are not being replaced.To a limited degree the planting
of alternative species along roadsides will help to offset the loss to the
Devon landscape. Landowners and farmers are encouraged to identify
strong saplings in hedgerows, protect them and encourage them to
develop into mature trees and supplies of suitable standard tags are
available from the County Council for this purpose.
The principal purposes for which trees are planted alongside roads are:
● Landscaping - to integrate as far as possible the highway into the
immediate landscape and to enhance the general landscape
viewed from a distance;
● Screening - to screen eyesores and facilities associated with the
road and ameliorate noise generated from the highway;
● Ecology - to provide habitats for native flora and fauna;
● Alignment - to emphasise the alignment of the road.
Each of the above reasons for planting may require different types of
trees, but wherever possible, native trees and shrubs will be used.
The species recommended as being most suitable for roadside planting
are listed in Appendix A.
Parish and District Councils and individuals may apply to the County
Council for a licence to plant trees within the limits of the highway in
accordance with Section 96 of the Highways Act 1980. Applications
should be made to the appropriate Area Highway Management Office.
Where tree planting is proposed within the boundary of a National
Park, the appropriate National Park Officer should be consulted.
Appendix E gives appropriate contact details.
(iii) Tree Planting Sites
Suitable planting sites within the limits of the highway are not always
easy to locate and must satisfy certain criteria as determined by
legislation and Government advice given in Appendix A, the most
important being as follows:
● Do not interfere with visibility sight lines nor be detrimental to
road safety considerations.