Today, the Mayor’s Street Tree scheme marks the planting of a record number of 20,000 trees along London’s roads.
Aimed at brightening up congested high roads and enhancing the environment, this is a huge milestone in the scheme which has resulted in a variety of trees such as birches and oaks being planted across London boroughs.
Street trees are planted on pavements and along highways to clean the air, keep the city cooler in the summer and increase green space.
Boroughs have all seen a huge increase in the number of trees appearing along their streets in the past year, with 300 in Lambeth, 400 in Islington and over 1,000 in Ealing. Matthew Pencharz, the Mayor’s Senior Advisor on Environment & Energy planted the 20,000th new tree today in Streatham – a Prunus Royal Burgundy, chosen to add a splash of colour to the residential road.
This is one of 600 trees delivered in the area over the past two years by the scheme. He was joined by the Streatham Bridge Business Association, a collective of community groups who have received a total of £135,000 from the Mayor’s fund to help brighten up Streatham – including 48 along Streatham High Road, where new trees are transforming the area .
Matthew Pencharz said: “This is a fantastic scheme that has improved the aesthetic of busy streets across the capital. The 20,000th tree symbolises the amazing work carried out by local businesses, boroughs and individuals passionate about improving their area. By planting thousands of trees, we are making the air cleaner and ensuring a better quality of life for Londoners.”
Anthony Ellis, a spokesman for the Streatham Bridge Business Association said: "Working cooperatively with Lambeth Council and Transport for London, the Street Tree Initiative has contributed to the renewal of three large public places in Streatham, and planted trees on more than sixty residential streets. Streathamites will benefit from this new streetscape for decades to come."
The Mayor’s Street Tree Initiative, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Groundwork London, is part of the Mayor’s commitment to maintain London’s status as one of the greenest and leafiest cities and encourage London individuals, businesses and community groups to plant more trees.
Craig Harrison, London Manager for the Forestry Commission, said “The Mayor’s Street Trees will improve London’s landscape now and for generations to come – not only making streets more attractive but providing other benefits such as shade and air quality improvement.”
This is part of the Mayor’s wider plans to make London a greener city including delivering 100 Pocket Parks and funding tree and woodland projects via the Community Grant Scheme which is engaging communities and volunteers across London.
The Mayor leads the RE:LEAF partnership of organisations involved in London’s trees and woodlands, and through this partnership has delivered a range of projects including planting 10,000 trees in Ealing last December.
Notes to editors
1. The Mayor’s Street Tree Initiative, delivered in partnership with the Forestry Commission, was open to all London boroughs and private landowners who own or manage public realm (including businesses, registered social landlords, etc). It was also open to civil society organisations and community groups working with or on behalf of boroughs and private landowners. The Mayor has spent £5.7m on the Street Tree Initiative since 2008 with over £3m having been match funded by the recipients of the grant. For more information visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/greening-london/re-leaf/mayors-street-tree-initiative
2. RE:LEAF is a partnership campaign led by the Mayor to protect the capital's trees and encourage individual Londoners, businesses and organisations to plant more trees. The Mayor also wants to protect London's woodlands and associated wildlife and make London a greener, more attractive city. For more information on RE:LEAF visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/greening-london/re-leaf
3. The London Tree and Woodland Community Grant Scheme (CGS) is being delivered in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Groundwork London and supports projects that promote or protect trees and woodlands and engage local communities. For more information on The London Tree and Woodland Community Grant Scheme visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/greening-london/re-leaf/get-involved/releaf-community-grant-scheme
4. The Mayor's Big Green Fund is investing £2million into improving 6 areas of London. This funding is being used to create high quality open spaces connecting town centers, public transport hubs, employment and residential areas with parks, open spaces and the Thames. The funds will make parts of London's more accessible through walking and cycling routes and more able to buffer the impacts of flooding or heat waves. The spaces will be better places to play, socialise, and be more attractive to wildlife. For more Information on the Mayor’s Big Green Fund visit: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/greening-london/improving-londons-parks-green-spaces/big-green-fund
5. Pocket parks are part of the Mayor’s London’s Great Outdoors - the programme to improve streets, squares, parks, and canal and riverside spaces across London. Pocket parks are small areas of inviting public space for all people to enjoy, providing relief from the hustle and bustle of the city. These spaces have trees and greenery; they are open to all; they have places to sit and relax and for people to come together; and they contribute to making the city friendlier, greener and more resilient. All of our £2million pocket park funding has now been allocated to over 100 parks in 26 London boroughs. http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/environment/greening-london/improving-londons-parks-green-spaces/pocket-parks