Eco-friendly Wall

Green withivy about castle panels

Agreen wall by Newcastle bus station, created usinglive ivyplants, is part of an ongoingprogramme to help NewcastleBorough Council become carbon neutral by 2030.

Environmentally-conscious councillors are taking inspiration from schoolchildren to make Newcastletown centre greener.

The council has recently installedaseries of demonstrator green walls to railings by Newcastlebus station, on busy Barracks Road.

Aspokesman for the council said: “Thepilot scheme –part of an ongoing programme to help thecouncil reach its ambitious goal to become carbon neutral by 2030 –could be introduced in other areas in the future if it’s proven to be successful. “The screens, created using live ivyplants, are designedtoact as anatural barrier to traffic pollution while enhancing the appearance of an urban environment. “As well as the aesthetic benefits, studies show that ivyprovides multiple health benefits and has asuperior ability to trap particulate matter from vehicles and motorcycles.In addition, the evergreen plant provides a welcome habitat for many birds and insects all year round, including bees who are attracted by alate season source of nectar. “The dense foliage is also agreat noise buffer.

It follows recent work by pupils from Hassell Community PrimarySchool to install a large filtersystem adjacent to the town centre ring road.”

The project –created with funding from Staffordshire County Council’s Climate Change Action Fund –issupported by county councillors Simon Tagg, Stephen Sweeney, Graham Hutton, James Salisbury and Ian Wilkes with additional sponsorship from Brampton Recruitment and support from NewcastleSouth Local Area Partnership.

It is set to be seen by Heart of England in Bloom judges who tourNewcastle-under-Lyme on Wednesday, July 13 as part of theborough’s campaign in the small city category of the horticultural competition.

It is hopedthatstudents from Staffordshire University will help to monitor and evaluate what affect thepanels have.

Council leader, councillor Simon Tagg, who is also Cabinet memberfor environment, infrastructure and climate change for Staffordshire County Council, said: “I’m really pleased to play my part in introducing this pilot scheme in Newcastle towncentre and look forward to seeing howitdevelops. We are keen to try out the green wall idea to seeifitmakes a real difference to levels of traffic pollution; if data proves this, then we will look to roll them out elsewhere in the borough. “Bringing nature into an area, where it can add value,can be avital step to creating a sustainable future. Likethe council’songoing work to plant thousands of new treesinurban spaces across the borough, green walls are known as asimple but effective way to filter the air, generate energy-rich oxygen and create a more sustainable eco-system. “Barracks Road is particularly busy, with a high volume of passing traffic and ashopping area, so it’s an ideal place to trial this initiative. We’re hoping to develop the scheme over time to increase the positive effect forwildlife as wellasresidents, visitors and the wider community. It will be good to show the Heart of England in Bloom judgeswhatwe’re doing.”

The screens have been arranged to looklike acastle as anod to Newcastle-under-Lyme’s heritage.

Council Leader Simon Tagg is pictured, centre, with councillor Ian Wilkes and ClaireLeigh, DirectorofBrampton Recruitment