The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DfEFRA) has announced a £2 million pilot scheme to help roads and railways in the UK to encourage native wildlife and increase resilience to the weather.

The plan involves creating so-called ‘green corridors’ along transport routes, which will be tailored to help avoid accidents when animals stray onto roads and train tracks.

It is also hoped that with careful selection and coppicing, the green corridors could reduce the impact of storms, floods, and fallen leaves.

The pilot will be focused on the Nature Improvement Areas in Morecambe Bay, between Cumbria and Lancashire, and the Humberhead Levels, spread amongst Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.

There are also plans to create wetland swales nearby to store carbon dioxide emissions, which are the main cause of climate change.

Environment secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “This project will make these areas better than ever, helping our vital pollinators by providing a home and food for them to thrive, as well as improving the weather resilience of our transport infrastructure which will boost our economy.”