III. Species Action Plans - Newcastle City Council

4. Transport Corridors
4. TRANSPORT CORRIDORS
General Description
Transport corridors are linear strips of
land adjacent to roads, railway lines,
metrolines, disused waggonways and
cyclepaths. The mosaic of grassland,
scrub, shelter belt and tall herb habitats
usually associated with these transport
corridors provide important refugia and
wildlife links, facilitating the dispersal of
plants and animals.
Roadside verges in particular, can be
floristically diverse and often constitute
some of the largest areas of semiimproved
grassland habitat as a result of
a lack of exposure to fertilizers and
pesticides. With intensive farming and
development becoming the dominant
land use in recent years, road verges
have become increasingly valuable
habitat for wildlife and are important
wildlife corridors for the movement of
many animals.
Metrolines provide important links for
wildlife movement between city, coast
and countryside, via the network of
woodland, shrub and grassland habitat
along its edges. In addition, disused
waggonways which once transported
coal to the river, now function as
important areas for species such as
great crested newt, butterflies such as
dingy skipper and a range of breeding
birds.
Current Status
Major highways with mature semi-natural
habitats include the A1 Western Bypass
and A19 Trunk roads, the A189 Benton
Lane, the A1058 Coast Road, the A191
Whitley Road, the A1056 Sandy Lane
and Scotswood Road in Newcastle.
Active railways, namely the Metro Line,
the Intercity East Coast Mainline and the
Blyth & Tyne Railway, are also
Newcastle & North Tyneside Biodiversity Action Plan
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characterised by similar habitats.
However, it is the extensive network of
disused waggonways (many now used
as cycleways and bridleways) which are
characterised by the oldest and most
diverse assemblage of verge and former
trackbed habitats.
Hadrian’s Way, in particular, is an
important national trail providing walking,
cycling and horse riding opportunities,
whilst also acting as an important wildlife
corridor.
Waggonways in particular, are important
habitats for encouraging species such as
bats which like to forage along these
areas for insects. The mosaic of mature
scrub and grassland habitats associated
with some transport corridors also
provide breeding, feeding and dispersal
opportunities for a range of bird species
such as song thrush, barn owl, bullfinch
and linnet and provide vital conduits for
those groups particularly dependent