Portsmouth to see bus stops with green planted roofs

Fifteen bus stops across Portsmouth will be given planted roofs from this autumn after an agreement was reached with advertising firm Clear Channel.
By Josh Wright
Published 22nd Mar 2023, 19:30 BST
Updated 22nd Mar 2023, 19:31 BST
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The insect-friendly ‘living roofs’ are aimed at improving biodiversity and reducing pollution across the city and follows months of discussions between the city council and Clear Channel which maintains shelters under a 25-year contract.

Last summer, Councillor Lynne Stagg, the cabinet member for transport confirmed negotiations were under way but criticised the long waiting list with the company which is rolling planted roofs out elsewhere in the country.

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But she has welcomed progress and said the first shelters would be planted starting in late September.

A planted bus shelter roofA planted bus shelter roof
A planted bus shelter roof

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‘I am proud that Portsmouth City Council have placed their first order for living roof bus shelters,’ she said. ‘I have heard a lot of feedback from Portsmouth’s residents who really want to see this change across the city, and this is the exciting first step.

‘Whilst these bus stops are beneficial for the environment, they also look marvellous, creating a beautiful environment in the most unexpected places. I cannot wait to see them.’

Low-maintenance and local plants, including sedum and wildflowers, will be placed on top of the shelters while Clear Channel will remain responsible for their upkeep.

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Where some of the planted bus shelters will goWhere some of the planted bus shelters will go
Where some of the planted bus shelters will go

The council had previously requested planting at five bus stops in a bid to tie it in with the existing contract that requires five shelters a year to be replaced in the city.

However, this was scaled up to 15 after assessments were carried out at 20 sites that had been prioritised. These were selected based on sunlight and other environmental factors but Cllr Stagg also requested busier roads be the first to benefit.

The 15 chosen bus stops are:

  • Allaway Avenue Shops
  • Fratton Road/Hanway Road northbound
  • Fratton Road at Hanway Road
  • Goldsmith Avenue at Fratton Road
  • Havant Road at Drayton shops
  • Kingston Crescent at Kingston Road
  • London Road at Mayfield Road
  • London Road at Battenberg Avenue
  • London Road at Merrivale Road
  • London Road at Beechwood Road
  • Northern Parade at Hilsea Crescent
  • Northern Road at Cosham police station
  • Winston Churchill Avenue at Isambard Brunel Road
  • Two shelters at Spur Road at Cosham Library

In 2021, Clear Channel announced plans for living roofs on the 500 bus shelters it manages in Leicester under what it described as a UK first. This has since been expanded through a partnership with the Wildlife Trusts.

Related topics:Clear ChannelPortsmouthPortsmouth City CouncilPortsdown HillLeicester