‘Skylark Lane’ and ‘Swift Avenue’ – UK wildlife in freefall while nature-related road names increase
- New insights from the RSPB, based on OS Open Names data, show that while the devastating decline of UK wildlife continues, the prevalence of nature-related road names in Great Britain is rising rapidly.
- The last 20 years has seen increases in road names featuring species including Skylark (350%), Starling (156%), Lapwing (104%), Swift (58%), Puffin (54%) and Nightingale (37%). All are among the species under most threat in the UK and on the Red List of high conservation concern.
- The RSPB says that unless amended, the UK Government’s Planning and Infrastructure Bill risks throwing away existing protections for nature on a huge scale, and pushing some of our most vulnerable species closer to the brink.
- Business leader and RSPB ambassador Deborah Meaden, alongside TV GP and RSPB President Dr Amir Khan, have backed the RSPB’s call to protect species and habitats, and prioritise nature in the planning process.
Analysis by the RSPB of Ordnance Survey data has revealed a huge increase in the number of new road names in Great Britain inspired by bird species that have undergone shocking declines and continue to be pushed closer to the brink.
OS Open Names data (GB) covering 2004-2024 [1] shows steep increases in the number of streets in new developments named after species including Skylark (350%), Starling (156%), Lapwing (104%), Swift (58%), Puffin (54%) and Nightingale (37%).
All these species are on the Red List of conservation concern, with many populations having undergone severe declines in recent decades. The UK has lost 53% of its breeding Skylarks, 62% of its Lapwings, 82% of its Starlings and 89% of its Nightingale populations between 1970 and 2022, along with 68% of its Swifts between 1995 and 2023, and nearly a quarter (23%) of its Puffins since 2000.
OS data also reveals the presence of ‘meadow’ in road names increased by 34% between 2004 and 2024. This is despite the UK having lost 97% of its wildflower meadows since the 1930s.
These insights come as the Planning and Infrastructure Bill for England enters its final stages in Parliament. The RSPB believes it is entirely possible and essential to have a planning system that helps restore nature at scale while delivering for communities and the economy. Yet parts of the Bill still pose an unacceptable risk to some of our most vulnerable species and their habitats, including the Dormouse, Red Squirrel, Otter, Barn Owl and Bittern.
Separate research published last week by More in Common found the public don’t want new homes to be built at nature’s expense. Only 20% of Britons think environmental standards should be weakened to build more houses, while 72% of the public think more positively of politicians who say, “New housing and infrastructure should integrate with the natural world, not destroy it.” Two-thirds (67%) say politicians are out of touch with the public’s values on nature.
A cross-party Environmental Audit Committee report published this week criticised the “lazy narrative” that nature is a blocker to delivering new housing. MPs were also clear that using nature as a scapegoat means the government will be less effective at tackling some of the genuine challenges facing the planning system.
Beccy Speight, Chief Executive of the RSPB, said: “This analysis shows councils and developers are happy to name streets after the nature we love while efforts to prevent these birds disappearing from our skies remain woefully inadequate. If we carry on down this road and fail to halt nature’s decline, rusting street signs may be one of the few perverse reminders of everything we’ve lost. We deserve to enjoy the sounds of a Nightingale in full song or Swifts screaming overhead, rather than living in silent streets with ironic names.
The UK Government appears oblivious not only to how much people care about nature in this country, but to how critical a thriving natural world is to our economy. We know that thoughtful planning from the beginning could help balance the many competing demands, and that development and growth can go hand in hand with nature’s recovery. But unless amended, the Planning and Infrastructure Bill risks doing nothing but accelerating the catastrophic decline of species like these. Strong protections for species will be discarded, with communities asked to believe weak promises that losses will be made up for somehow miles away. You can’t simply ask a Dormouse to move house.”
Deborah Meaden, business leader and RSPB ambassador, said: “You’d be hard pushed to hear the iconic screaming call of Swifts on a new development, but it seems you might spot a Swift Close. In principle it’s fantastic to see local authorities and business recognising people’s love of nature on new developments, but we need to see tangible action to halt and reverse nature loss, not just building with nature road names for the sake of the bottom line. Nature must be considered upfront in the planning system, not as an afterthought being compensated for in road names or anything else.”
Dr Amir Khan, NHS GP and RSPB President said: “Nature is undeniably popular – the RSPB has more members than all UK political parties combined. It’s no surprise to see the use of nature names and motifs in road names increasing when we know nature brings us a sense of connection and supports our wellbeing – combating low mood, lowering blood pressure and reducing stress and anxiety. But a road name is no replacement for the real thing and I anticipate that, like myself, most UK residents would be saddened to learn about the species declines that are going on in the background of the place they call home. It’s a visceral reminder of why we must raise our voices to push to keep protections for our most precious places and species.”
ENDS
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