HBC Press Release: Flower Power

[admin]

**HARTLEPOOL COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE**

Council turns to flower power!

ONE of the main roads in and out of Hartlepool has been transformed into a sea of colour in an experiment that is set to bring a range of benefits.

A range of low-maintenance wildflowers, including poppies, scabious, fairy toadflax and cornflowers, has been planted on the central reservation along a half-mile stretch of the A689 from Sapper's Corner at Greatham to Claxton Farm.

Kate Ainger, Environmental Projects Officer with Hartlepool Council, said the pilot scheme had improved the appearance of a key route in and out of the town and would save money, help keep Council staff safe and benefit wildlife.

"The mix of flowers was chosen to evoke a traditional wildflower meadow. The flowers which will remain in bloom until October, look great and provide a stunning display of colour which has already resulted in a lot of positive feedback and compliments from people.

"The wildflowers are much lower maintenance than a grass verge. A verge needs to be cut regularly whereas the wildflowers only need to be cut at the end of the season. The wildflowers also help to hide litter that tends to accumulate on a grass verge. As a result, litter only needs to cleared when the flowers are cut back at the end of the season. With a grass verge, litter is much more visible, meaning that regular litter patrols have to be carried out to keep an area looking presentable. Since the flower seeds were planted there has been no need to carry out any work on this stretch of road

"Working on the central reservation is dangerous due to the speed and volume of traffic, so the pilot scheme is helping to massively reduce the risk of injury to staff. It is also helping to reduce inconvenience to motorists by ending the need for traffic buffers to protect workers carrying out grass cutting and litter picking."

The flowers are also having a positive impact on the area's bio-diversity as they provide nectar and seeds, a valuable food source for insects and birds.

Ian Bond, Hartlepool Council's Ecologist, said: "The meadow is buzzing with various species of bee, hoverfly and butterfly. This is in sharp contrast to the mown grassed areas which have very few insects by comparison."

The location for the pilot scheme was chosen because its south-west facing slope provides the ideal sunny, well-drained conditions in which the flowers thrive.

Kate Ainger added: "The pilot scheme will run until the end of the season in October and will then be evaluated to see if it has been successful and whether it could be continued or even extended."

Photo caption: Environmental Projects Officer Kate Ainger amongst the wildflowers on the A689.

Press release pr26293. July 23 2014.
Issued by Steve Hilton, Public Relations Officer, on (01429) 284065.

[DRiddle]

100% agree with the above. It's pretty seldom that residents have contacted me purely to compliment our council, but regarding the above they have. I've seen people taking photos of the stretch of road in question, and I've had e-mails asking for it to be rolled out in other areas across the town.

Often it's the 'simple things' that make the difference. Well done to the officer who thought this up.

[not4me]

On the face of it this looks like a good idea and it does look attractive. I suppose it all depends on what it looks like during the winter months.

[pensionater]

Yes credit where its due.Had quite a few mentions on Facebook.

[steveL]

Do these flowers come back each year or do they have to be re-planted? Before the Tall Ships, HBC cut out all the plants around Marina Way and laid turf to save on maintenance. This lass seems to have more brain cells than the rest of them put together.

[testing times]

The humble Bumble Bee has been in a state of rapid decline for a few years. They're going to love Hartlepool. Ditto the rest of the comments and a well done to the officers who came up with the idea. Who needs a Vision when a bit of good old fashion gumption will do. 

[fred c]

We noticed the meadow like central reservation a while ago, have to say It looks superb & hopefully, under the guidance of Ms Ainger, all off the towns verges & central reservations will given similar planting patterns.