Transport for London’s wildflower verges blooming, on track to reach a target of 520,000m2 of rewilded, green spaces in 2026

Transport for London (TfL) has expanded its wildflower verges by the size of around 18 football pitches - 130,000m² - a 50 per cent increase in the last financial year. This takes the total amount of rewilded space to 390,000m² – the equivalent of around 52 football pitches. TfL is now well over halfway to reaching the goal set back in 2024 of doubling the total area to 520,000m² of wildflower verges along its road network by 2026.

The newest sites range in size and include a verge along the A1 in Barnet (1,700km²), a central reserve on the A30 near Heathrow (2,900m²) and a large verge that backs onto woodland along the A312 in Hounslow (2,600m²). There are also some publicly accessible sites, so people can enjoy the green spaces, such as at Redbridge Roundabout via the pedestrian underpass and by a shared foot and cycle path alongside the A40 in Hillingdon.  

Each site is selected based on a range of factors, including the suitability of converting the existing vegetation to wildflower meadows, easy access for cut and collect mowers, as well as proximity to residential houses and maintaining road safety.

TfL manages each site to promote biodiversity, reducing the number of times it mows down from around five to eight times a year down to, typically, twice a year. This allows the grasses and wildflowers more chance to grow. The extra flowers and taller grasses create a supply of nectar and other food, plus shelter for wildlife, including bees, butterflies, birds and small mammals. Wildflower verges bring additional benefits beyond London's biodiversity, including the transfer of carbon dioxide from the air into the soil and reduced carbon emissions from mowing.

There have been promising results from TfL’s changed management of roadside verges – particularly at the more mature sites where the new mowing regime has been implemented for at least two years. As well as butterflies, other insects such as hoverflies, craneflies, grasshoppers, dragonflies, damselflies, beetles, and bees have been observed across the capital.

To celebrate London Climate Action Week, Greater London Authority (GLA) employees and volunteers have been giving away 12,000 packets of wildflower seeds today (Monday 23 June) near the entrances of several stations spanning the London transport network. The aim is to encourage more people to develop their own green thumbs, planting and nurturing the seeds themselves at home.

Deputy Mayor for the Environment, Mete Coban, said: “I’m delighted that TfL has expanded London’s wildflower verges by an impressive 50 per cent since last year, boosting biodiversity and bringing much-needed green space across the capital for wildlife to thrive.

“This is a huge milestone and I’m proud to be working with our partners to engage Londoners in our efforts to rewild local areas, including giving away 12,000 packets of wildflower seeds to Londoners today for London Climate Action Week as we work to build a better, greener city for everyone.”

Lilli Matson, Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer at TfL, said: “We are delighted to see our wildflower verges continue to expand. We have a significant opportunity, working with local stakeholders, to find new ways to create space for nature, plants, wildlife and insects to thrive, given that we are responsible for the road verges, central reservations, and green space on roundabouts on 580km of the capital’s road network.

“Working together to rewild these spaces not only helps make London a greener, more nature-rich city, it also puts further momentum behind collective efforts to reverse the alarming decline in biodiversity.”

David Mooney, CEO of London Wildlife Trust, said: “It’s inspiring to see Transport for London making such strong progress in rewilding our capital’s road network. These wildflower verges are vital nature corridors for pollinating insects, birds, and mammals and they play an important role in nature recovery. At London Wildlife Trust, we applaud TfL’s commitment to creating a greener, wilder London — one verge at a time.”

Mark Schofield, Road Verges and Green Spaces Advisor at Plantlife, said: “As urban populations grow, the health and wellbeing benefits offered by road verges across London and the UK will become increasingly vital.  Nature-based carbon capture and storage in roadside soils, reduction in air, water and noise pollution, pollination for our allotments, reduction of driver stress levels and urban cooling are some of the essential benefits a greater diversity of flowering plants can provide in towns and cities. Too often, road names are all that remain of the wild spaces they replaced and the wildlife that was lost. By restoring native wildflowers, we can reconnect with our natural heritage, create a stronger sense of place, and support nature’s urgent recovery.”

Quentin Given, Coordinator of the London Friends of the Earth Network, said: "It's brilliant to see this proactive effort to improve biodiversity across the capital from Transport for London. Wildflower verges are a great way to put nature back on our streets, which is proven to have positive impacts on people's health and wellbeing, as well as bringing several benefits for the environment. Nature should be a part of everyday life for all Londoners, especially in the most nature-deprived and disadvantaged communities. We'd like as much funding and resources as possible made available going forward so that TfL can continue this really positive and vital work.”

The introduction of new wildflower verges forms a key part of TfL's commitment to enhance biodiversity across its estate. TfL is also working with City Hall to help prevent road runoff pollution from entering waterways and help reduce flood risk, not least by reducing polluting vehicles on roads and encouraging greener, more sustainable journeys by walking, cycling or using public transport. This is alongside other measures such as the introduction of new Sustainable Drainage systems (SuDS) across the capital, which reduce the amount and/or slow the flow of rainwater reaching London’s drainage networks. Many types of SuDS include green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, roofs planted with vegetation, and wetlands. TfL's Green Infrastructure and Biodiversity Plan, published in March 2024, sets out how TfL will protect, connect and enhance its green infrastructure and biodiversity and how it will work with other organisations to tackle this important issue both now and as part of longer-term planning.