The locations in the borough where native wildflowers are to be planted as part of a council road verge pilot project have been revealed.
The areas were mentioned during an update to members of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council’s environmental services committee.
The programme will allow native wildflowers on a number of road verges to flourish by allowing them to grow and seed. The verges will then be cut and the vegetation removed.
Over a period of time this will increase the amount of native wildflowers and allow them to produce pollen and nectar for a longer period of time, providing food for pollinators, which are known to be in decline.
The areas chosen are Kiln Lodge to Lough Road (both sides); Derrymacash area around the hurling ball statue; Kinnego embankment from the motorway; old pork market, Portadown; west link to Armagh Road, Northway; verge from walkover bridge to slip road, Northway; Craigwell Avenue to West Street; old pillbox, Tandragee Road; Glenloughan, Scarva; and John Street, Rathfriland.
The A50, Castlewellan Road, Banbridge; Scarva Road, Banbridge; Lurgan Road, Banbridge; Fortfield, Dromore; Belfast Road, Magheralin; A26, Banbridge Road, Waringstown; Moygannon Road, Donaghcloney; Regents Wood, Lurgan; Ballymagin Road/Belfast Road, Magheralin.
The strip of grass from Portadown Road roundabout junction towards entrance at Dillon Heights, 200m in length; strip of grass from Drumcairn Road junction towards Spires retail units, 200m in length; and a strip of grass opposite Tandragee junction in Markethill, 350m in length.
Members were also advised that appropriate signage will be erected to inform and alert the public to the project.
Councillor Paul Greenfield asked if these locations would see a “do not mow” sign erected to prevent the destruction of the wildflowers.
Council’s head of environmental services, Barry Patience confirmed that was the case and said officers are content the wildflowers are in good locations that will have an impact on how places look.
Councillor Ciaran Toman expressed some reservation about the Kinnego embankment site and noted that on two occasions last year he requested it was cut due to restricting drivers’ views.
Councillor Brona Haughey said it was great to see the project being rolled out across the borough and called for the council to create a social media campaign aimed at making residents aware of what the project is and urging residents to keep an eye out for it.
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