The South Yorkshire town of former rugged mining town Rotherham has been getting green with the introduction of an eight-mile stretch of wildflowers along a busy highway. The introduction of the flowers adds a splash of colour over the summer months as well as provides an urban habitat for insects including bees.
Over the past six years, the council has been busy planting a range of wildflowers in a bid to help the environment. The scheme saves the council £23k a year in moving costs and creates homes and habitat for some of the world’s most important creatures.
Back in 2013, Rotherham Council commissioned Pictorial Meadows Ltd to install an eight-mile-long “River of Flowers” on the central reservations of the town’s main ring road using their wildflower seed mixes that includes blend of cornflowers, poppies, fairy toadflax, marigolds and more have washed an otherwise urban landscape with a spray of colour..
The scheme benefits the surrounding wildlife supports the towns Biodiversity Action Plan and reduces the need for maintenance. The positive step could be rolled out in other Yorkshire towns and cities across the county.
The mini meadow-style highway provides nectar, flowers and seeds and food sources for many insects, birds and even some mammals. Pictorial Meadows delivered much of the planting at the Olympic Village in London for the 2012 Games.
The scheme has been a real success and is a positive step for the environment news for the environment. And, by creating aesthetically pleasing highways, reducing the level of maintenance required, and doing their bit for the environment the council approximately saves £23,000 for each two-year cycle.
The Council received over 250 emails and letters of praise in the year following the first germination in July 2013 and continues to receive praise from local residents and from visitors from all over the Country.
Read More: 14 Yorkshire Places That Will Make You Wonder How They Got Their Names
