Plans to install “bee bus stops” in Peterborough have been approved, with 34 shelters potentially receiving living roofs—miniature gardens planted with wildflowers and other vegetation to support urban biodiversity and pollinators.
Living roofs and improved bus stops
Peterborough City Council discussed and approved the plan at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. The initiative forms part of a wider new contract for the city’s bus stops, which includes replacing existing perch seats with “comfort seats”.
The council is due to sign the contract with Bauer Media Outdoor UK to manage the city’s bus stations. Under the agreement, the company will provide the council with annual income of £140,000 from advertising sales, as well as 2.5% of its quarterly gross revenue.
The contract is expected to run for a minimum of 10 years, with an option to extend it. Over 20 years, it could provide the authority with £2.8 million.
More than 350 living roofs have been installed across the UK, including in Birmingham, Glasgow and Northampton.
Chris Wiggin, the council’s Liberal Democrat cabinet member for environment, said: “We need to do everything we can to support biodiversity and support bees and other pollinators, because without them there would be no other life. So it’s great to see these things.”
Other planned changes
The bus-stop programme will also include up-to-date passenger information and digital advertising screens at most stops.
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Source: www.bbc.co.uk
