Rugeley Third Access Roundabout - Wildlife restoration project
Overview
The Rugeley Third Access Roundabout has become the site of a unique wildlife restoration project, focused on creating an open mosaic habitat—a rare and valuable environment for biodiversity.
What is an open mosaic habitat?
Open mosaic habitats are areas with a mix of bare ground, short patchy grassland, scrub, and damp zones. While they may seem unremarkable at first glance, they are incredibly important for wildlife.
These habitats typically feature thin soils, which can be either acidic or lime-rich depending on historical land use. Such conditions attract rare and unusual plants and animals.
A legacy of industrial land use
Staffordshire’s industrial past, especially its coalfields, left behind many areas of open mosaic habitat. As mining activities ceased, much of this land was reclaimed for development or green spaces—making these habitats increasingly rare.
Restoration efforts at Rugeley
Following the completion of the roundabout, the surrounding area was carefully restored to encourage the development of an open mosaic habitat:
- Soil Preservation: Thin soil and its seed bank were stripped and stored before construction, then re-laid afterward.
- Scrub Retention: Existing shrubs were preserved to connect with new planting along the access road and bypass, supporting nesting birds and sheltering insects.
- Pollinator Banks: Sandy banks were created for pollinators that burrow into warm, sandy soils.
- Water Features: Lower ground areas and a surrounding ditch were designed to retain water seasonally, supporting wetland species.
What to look out for
As the habitat develops, keep an eye out for these species:
- Red-tailed bumblebee
- Burnet companion moth
- Bird’s-foot trefoil – Also known as "bacon and eggs" due to its red and yellow flowers; a food source for burnet companion caterpillars and pollinators.
- Cornflower – One of the few naturally blue flowers.
- Teasel – Provides nectar for insects and seeds for birds; historically used to comb wool.
- Poppies
- Evening-primrose
Ongoing monitoring
We’ll continue to update this page as new wildlife begins to inhabit the site. Stay tuned for more discoveries!