L-R Steve of Age of Steam, Mayor (Cllr June Player), Andrew of Discount Store, Trish a shopper, Keith and Sally from Parks Dept and Simon of Francis DIY.
Bath’s outgoing Mayor, Councillor June Player has left a lasting legacy in helping to add some greenery to a special part of the city. She played an instrumental role in a project that saw twelve trees added to the urban scene in the Moorland Road district.
Thrilled with the outcome, the Mayor, who approached Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Parks Department last May and has since been working with them on the project said, “Not only will the trees make the area more attractive, inviting and soften it, but they will also improve people’s quality of life in so many ways, both health-wise and visually, improving the air quality and offering shade during the increasing hot Summers.”
The installation of trees on Moorland Road has been a fitting end to the Mayor’s term in Office, which concludes on Saturday 28 May, with ‘Keeping it Clean, Green and Friendly – Promoting Pride in Our Community’ having been the Mayoral theme for the year.
The Mayor went on to say how much she looked forward to seeing and hearing the birds, bees and butterflies that will now be attracted to the area.
The new trees on Moorland Road are some of the 200 trees planted by the Council on highways sites across the district since the Autumn, which have been funded by the DEFRA backed ‘Trees for Climate’ Grant via the Forest of Avon Trust.
The Moorland Road trees have been welcomed by local businesses:
Steve of Age of Steam said: ‘It makes a huge difference and puts a smile on my face coming in to work every day.”
Simon of Francis DIY added, “We love the trees – they add great vibrancy to the street”, with Andrew, owner of the Discount Store also commenting on their benefit for the environment.
Steve of Virtuoso Flooring went on to say, “The trees are a wonderful addition to the street, and it was a pleasant surprise as we have just opened our new showroom.”
Sally Crudge, Tree and Woodland Delivery Manager, B&NES Council said, “The species of trees planted on Moorland Road, varieties of Rowan and flowering cherry, are well suited to urban environments as they are characterised by narrow, upright growth.”
She added, “When applying the ‘right tree, right place’ principle, trees are incredibly valuable for the environment and society. Urban tree planting is thought to improve mental wellbeing, with research shown to correlate time spent in green spaces with lower levels of cortisol, a stress hormone.”
The new trees will be watered throughout the Summer in the Council’s tree watering schedule.
Well done BANES. I wish we could have a few trees in Great Pulteney Street to improve the environment and clean some of the pollution from traffic.