South Swindon Parish Council has started replanting on the Marlborough Road traffic island, near to Broome Manor Lane roundabout. Some plants have been added on the traffic island but there are more to come over the coming weeks.
These plants were chosen to withstand the harsh conditions found here. This includes the spreading of road salt, which has major affects upon soil and leads to plants not getting the extra water and nutrients they need out of the soil.
The Plant list on this flower bed includes:
– Two types of Ice Plant will be planted (flowers from June-August continually).
– Winter species (taller) flowers (flowers from June-August continually)
– Red hot pokers (flowers in early summer)
– Bluestem Grass
Chair of South Swindon Parish Council’s Leisure & Amenities Committee and Old Town Parish Councillor, Neil Hopkins, said, “It’s still a work in progress but it’s great that planting is finally underway at the traffic island. I know that some residentshave expressed concerns about the appearance of the traffic island which has been surfaced with slate chippings. This is just a phase and with planting started it will soon be looking very different!
Residents might remember the previous plantings on the traffic island looked very tired and dishevelled as a result of the harsh planting conditions on what is normally a very busy road.
The plants we chose will provide a colourful and long-lasting display and withstand the harsh conditions.
We had hoped that planting would start before now but because of lockdown it has taken longer than we had hoped but the island will be all planted up soon.”
