We are often asked if we could use plants/shrubs as roadside protection devices. The simple answer is NO.
Why?
– The effectiveness of a specific planting in being able to stop or slow a wide range of vehicle types is uncertain, and some plantings would also be an additional hazard for motorcyclists.
– Uniformity and reliability of vehicle slowing characteristics is difficult to achieve, given lead times required to establish or replenish plants and variations in plant growth and characteristics with climatic, soil and topographic conditions.
– Maintenance requirements to achieve and maintain the desired vehicle slowing characteristics would be considerable and diverse.
Also, if you manage to get all this right, MUARC estimates that the required planting area required would be greater than 10m (width) which is often unachievable.
We suggest a MASH tested flexible barrier system and some native planting behind.