Planting begins along the A38 as final stage of improvements to the road.

In early February, work began to plant 51 new trees and thousands of bulbs and shrubs along the A38, Whitehouse Lane, Hereford and Clarke Street as part of the Bedminster Green Highways project. The planting is due to take 4-6 weeks.

51 new trees are being planted with species include London Plane, Alder, American Sweetgum, Hornbeam, Ash and Cherry. Trees have been selected that will be able to thrive as the area is developed around them and new buildings are built, with large species of trees in more open areas. A variety of different tree types are being installed to ensure there is disease resilience.

3,685 hardy shrubs will accompany the trees, selected because they are well suited to a road environment and can help to capture and store water during high rainfall to help prevent flooding. They will also help absorb the moisture and provide road run-off during wet weather and help prevent water going into the sewage network. They are tolerant of dry weather during the summer months and the grit and salt used on the road in the winter months.

In addition, grass banks are being restored and bulbs planted along the A38 by the Church Lane and Little Parade junctions. Beneath the trees being planted along the A38, a mixture of bulbs and wildflowers will be planted with species varying depending on light levels at different locations. The triangle of land between Whitehouse Lane and the rail tracks, close to the junction with Windmill Hill will be planted with a mixture of shaded woodland plants.

In total 247 m2 of shaded wildflower mix and 186 m2 of wildflower and grass mix is being planted. 15,450 bulbs will also be planted including cyclamens, daffodils, alliums, crocus, tulips, bluebells, snowdrops, gladioli, and snake’s head fritillary.