Bus shelters are being pressed into service in the North East to help declining populations of bees and other pollinators.
The “buzz stops,” which feature planted green living roofs, have been introduced in Sunderland and Newcastle. Two new bus shelters outside the University of Sunderland and the Chesters Pub on Chester Road are the first phase of a plan to install around 90 living roof bus shelters across the city as part of a new contract between Sunderland City Council and Clear Channel UK.
The shelters have been designed by Clear Channel, which operates more than 33,000 advertising sites nationwide, and ecologists with the added aim of bringing greenery back into urban areas. Each is planted with a mix of native wildflower species selected to support bees and other pollinators.
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The living roofs also help provide natural cooling to counteract the effects of ‘urban heat islands’, help absorb rainwater to help alleviate flooding, and filter fine dust particles from the air.
Coun Claire Rowntree, Sunderland City Council’s cabinet member for clean, green city, said: “We know from our Let’s Talk campaign that our residents are passionate about the environment and want a greener city to live in. In addition to our reintroducing wildflowers across Sunderland’s parks and cemeteries, these Living Roof bus shelters are another way that we are supporting the pollinators like bees and moths, which are so important for a biodiverse ecosystem but face threats due to loss of habitat. When the bee bus stops are in bloom they brighten up the city’s streets.”
They will be among the 137 bus shelters to be replaced by Clear Channel in Sunderland. Will Ramage, Clear Channel managing director, said: “I’m proud that we can be playing a part in making the city greener and more sustainable.”
Newcastle City Council, also in partnership with Clear Channel, has sited the first iiving roof bus shelter on Stamfordham Road, near St James’ Retail Park. The roof accommodates a mix of wildflowers and sedum plants, which benefit bees and other pollinating insects.
Coun Marion Williams, cabinet member for a connected, clean city at Newcastle City Council, said: “It’s exciting that the first eco-friendly bus shelter has been installed in our city in collaboration with Clear Channel. The new shelter will help boost biodiversity and is another example of the steps we are taking to create a cleaner, greener and more sustainable future.”
Mr Ramage said: “It’s wonderful to see the installation of Newcastle’s first Living Roof. What’s so great about these bus shelters is that they provide an essential service for the public while also contributing to the betterment of the environment.”
The council is now exploring options to install more of the shelters.
