In article , Brian
--- writes
GWR used to issue a green card that permitted approved botanising along
railway land. I can only remember that we were warned not to stand between
the rails when trains were coming! Very few cards were ever issued. Many
plants grew there that were missing or rare elsewhere.
Motorways look even more promising and I cannot believe the biology of
these verges is totally forbidden~ without some form of approved access to
somebody knowledgeable. Nowhere else is there land that remains ungrazed and
undisturbed for such long periods.

Your first contact would be the Highways Agency - 08547 50 40 30

I suspect the answer would be 'no'. Unlike the railway, there is
constant traffic on the motorway, and I suspect they would feel the
danger is just too great. They do have their own knowledgeable experts,
so probably wouldn't feel the need to have someone else on the list.
--
Kay
"Do not insult the crocodile until you have crossed the river"