Biodiversity/Landscape Plans & FAQs

TII follows an ecological design approach, using mostly native and high ecological value species. The goal is to create functional, low-maintenance landscapes that support road and rail safety. Once established, landscapes are managed with minimal intervention. More details are available in Guidelines on the Implementation of Landscape Treatments on National Road Schemes in Ireland and A Guide to Landscape Treatments for National Road Schemes in Ireland.

Yes. TII partnered with the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan to develop guidelines for enhancing biodiversity along transport corridors. Actions, like reducing grass mowing, are being phased in to support pollinators. The Guide can be found at Pollinator Friendly Management of Transport Corridors.

TII maintains a narrow strip of mown grass along the carriageway and at some junctions to facilitate safer breakdown resolution, to maintain sightlines and to ensure signs/lights/drains are not impacted or due to local issues. Most other areas of grassland on the network are managed with limited intervention and following a self-sustaining approach.

TII grasslands are managed as self-sustaining meadows where the overall value of the grass areas for all biodiversity is considered. While some areas are managed specifically for wildflowers with annual cuts, most areas are managed as longer grass meadows. These require less frequent cuts, perhaps only one cut per three to five years. These support diverse insects and nesting habitats, even if they aren’t as visually striking as wildflower plots. 

Trees are removed primarily for safety, sightlines, or if damaged or overgrown. Selective thinning may also occur to maintain healthy tree belts. 

Generally, unless there is a safety or maintenance issue, TII will not prune back branches or remove trees. The trees were planted as part of a considered landscape approach where they provide both screening and value for biodiversity. However, if it is deemed that there is a safety or maintenance issue, we will review the landscape element in question and if works are required, we will consider this on the advice of our Landscape Management Team.

TII is trying to promote awareness of its All-Ireland Pollinator Plan (AIPP) friendly policies and has implemented some trial ‘Bee friendly’ images based on AIPP mid junctions along the Eastern managed Motorway network. These signs are aimed at capturing the imagination of our younger Motorway passengers, as well as to provide assurance to the public that the limited grass cutting is not a shortcoming in maintenance practices but rather an alignment with national AIPP policy.