Urban Islands for Our Pollinators

A blog post for Green Earth Plan by Andrew Pearson - March 2021

In the race to save our pollinators - why we need a bee bus stop campaign today!

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Bee foraging - photo by Jenna Lee

Over the last decade there has been increasing concern for nature and the state of our eco systems across the world. There have been hundreds if not thousands of new designs of every day objects that have been redesigned to be more eco friendly. As a result of these actions, the city of Utrecht in Holland have redesigned the average bus stop into something that can really transform the population of pollinators.

The new Bee Stops have many benefits, to humans, insect populations and the economy as a whole. The most clear change on these bus stops are the new plantations on the roofs. The sedum plants are very hardy, frost resistant and multiple species will flower all year round. This provides the ability for pollinators to find food throughout the seasons. This makes sedum the best choice for this role.

Bee Stops also have other additional benefits, by collecting finer dust and particulates. Collecting rainwater which can be a water source for birds, a steady supply for the plants on the roof. Though these plants are not the only component to these new and improved bus stops. They are fitted with energy efficient LED's and a bamboo seat.

Implementing this new idea throughout the UK could really prove to be a strong foundation for repopulating pollinators of all species. To date, other countries around the world such as, Auckland, New Zealand and Hamburg, Germany intend to implement this bee-friendly idea in their cities. Now there are plans to bring these into the UK.

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“Cardiff Council is re-designing roads in the city centre, to significantly improve the public transport infrastructure, improve opportunities for active travel (cycling and walking), as well as improve the air quality that we all breathe. As part of the plans, the council will be introducing bee bus stops in the city centre, where wild flowers and plants will be planted on the roof of specific bus stops to attract insects and most importantly bees.”

— Cardiff City Council

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Bee Bus Stops in City of Utrecht in Holland

Within the city of Cardiff, wildflowers have been planted on top of 10 bus stops to attract city bees and give them urban foraging opportunities. These “bee bus stops” will also beautify the urban space and make it greener, which is pleasant for all residents, including bees. It is this ignition of a new idea that will pave the way for greener urban areas across the UK.

A positive response from an official council spokesman said: "Cardiff Council is re-designing roads in the city centre, to significantly improve the public transport infrastructure, improve opportunities for active travel (cycling and walking), as well as improve the air quality that we all breathe. As part of the plans, the council will be introducing bee bus stops in the city centre, where wild flowers and plants will be planted on the roof of specific bus stops to attract insects and most importantly bees." This is a very promising response, an attitude that must be adopted by other councils across the UK. New ideas are often rejected with scepticism, however it is these ideas that will truly make a positive difference for us all.

In addition to this positive response from Cardiff Council. In Kent, they are intending on improving the current condition of our pollinators by minimising the use of pesticides. As such, the KCC's environment and transport committee was told that several actions were taking place, including a review to "minimise" the use of pesticide, a substance used to destroy insects on agricultural and farmland.

Would you like to see bee-friendly bus stops installed in your area? Enquiring to your local council will encourage them to adopt this idea. Allowing us to live within a greener 2021 and the future ahead.

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