Shrewsbury bus stop’s new ‘living roof’ just the ticket for wildlife
Insects, birds, bees and butterflies will be queuing up at a bus stop where a “living roof” has been installed.
Shrewsbury Town Council hopes the new sedum roof will be just the ticket to helping the town become greener after staff have installed it on a bus shelter on Radbrook Road.
The town council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and is looking at ways to reduce its carbon footprint and become carbon neutral by 2030.
Mark Harris, asset maintenance officer for the town council, said: “The trial of the sedum roof will enable us to gauge their effectiveness, especially in an area along a main road where levels of pollution are higher.
“Our sedum roof is a low-growing feature with a shallow root system, which won’t become overgrown once it is established.
"The long-term maintenance of this green roof means that our staff won’t have to water, deadhead or mow the plants on a regular basis – all they have to do is a yearly feed, some weeding and a check to see if the roof is draining well.”
The roof, planted over a waterproof membrane, will help to provide a habitat for wildlife as part of an urban wilderness.
Mark added that the plants will also help to filter pollutants and carbon dioxide out of the air.
