Bradford on Avon Town Council has unveiled an environmental project aiming to improve the town’s eco-impact whilst making it look even more beautiful.
The Living Green Wall began construction at the entrance to Bridge Yard on Monday, 18 July and was completed by the contractors, ANS Global, on Thursday, 28 July 2022.
It covers the wall on the side of Alfred’s and is directly opposite the local Co-Op.
The project will have a massive impact not only adding to the beauty of the area, but also contributing to the goal of being a more environmentally friendly town.
Stephanie Edwards, kick started the project and brought the idea to the Town Council, as a project to help improve the air quality in the heart of the town.
The project is funded by donations from the Arts Festival Group, an Area Board grant, the community, and the Town Council.
The Town Council wants to thank the following people for their roles in bringing the Living Green Wall into life: Stephanie Edwards, Joyce Shaw, Alison Abbot (who owns the wall), Ray Winrow, and the entire community for their support.
Cllr Alex Kay, Chair of the Environment & Green Spaces committee, said: “With the addition of the Living Green Wall, Bradford on Avon is making further strides toward becoming a town which can be held up as eco-friendly and eco-conscious.
“I hope the whole community – residents, businesses and visitors will look on at this wall, smile and think ‘what can I do greener today?’”
Stephanie Edwards said: “Funding for the Living Green Wall was extremely difficult during Covid.
“I approached Cllr Alex Kay to support this initiative and she actively engaged the Town Council and thanks to everyone involved the project has been a great success.”
The Living Green Wall is connected to an automated irrigation system and the Town Council is responsible for its maintenance.
Not only will the wall attract visitors to the town, but it will have many benefits for residents, such as reducing carbon dioxide in the area by absorbing it.
Studies have found that Living Green Walls cool the surface area by 12-20 degrees C when compared to a bare wall.
This is important because many places in the UK are not designed to cope with long periods of high heat.
Additionally, urban areas contain heat unnatural to their setting, this allows the town to have a more natural temperature.
They also cool the surrounding area by around five degrees C and help with insulating the building.
The Living Green Wall also boosts biodiversity by providing possible shelter, nesting, and food for wildlife.