Brand new living green bus shelters that are capable of extracting harmful carbon emissions are being installed across Milton Keynes.
Thirty bus shelters will see their roofs packed with Sedum plants, which provide the perfect habitat for bees, bugs and butterflies, to help support biodiversity and reduce vehicle pollution.
This is part of a pilot project that has received £50,000 funding from Milton Keynes Council as the local authority hopes to make the city carbon neutral by 2030 and carbon negative by 2050.
Milton Keynes Council says that if the pilot is successful, then green roofs will be considered in any future bus shelter upgrades.
Cllr Jenny Wilson-Marklew, Cabinet Member for Climate and Sustainability at Milton Keynes Council, said: “As well as providing a habitat for many small pollinating creatures, and improving biodiversity, the green roofs will be a great signal for MK’s green and sustainable ambitions.
“It’s just a small part of our bigger plans, but will help remind people that MK is a clean and green place and we welcome all kinds of green behaviours and ideas.”
Aside from living bus shelter rooftops, Milton Keynes also has shelters that feature solar-powered lights and there are two solar-powered information screens being piloted.
The new bus shelter roofs are being installed by local firms Axiom and Bridgeman and Bridgman.
Chris Bridgman said: “We’ve worked with living roof designer Dusty Gedge of the Green Infrastructure Consultancy to develop the pioneering roof system. It’s the first time this approach has been undertaken on such a scale anywhere in the world and we can’t wait to get started.”
