NEW ‘green screens’ intended to improve air quality in Downend have been installed in the high street area.
The screens are made of ivy growing around metal trellis-like frames.
One set has been installed at the side of the former Lloyds Bank building next to the traffic lights on Cleeve Road, and the other at the side of the Sainsbury’s Local store alongside Westerleigh Road.
Hedges in planters and a pair of new benches have also been installed by the Cleeve Road green screens, as part of a project which has cost £27,000.
The plants in the screens are intended to capture and block particulate pollution, as well as improving the look of the area.
Earlier this year council staff removed wooden seating which had been built around trees at the sides of Downend Road and Badminton Road by volunteers on behalf of Downend & Bromley Heath in Bloom.
While no more seating is planned under the green screens project, the parish council has voted to create a high street working group, which will review existing seating provision and work out where new seating is needed.
The new screens were welcomed by South Gloucestershire Frenchay & Downend ward councillor Liz Brennan, who said it looked “fantastic”.
She said: “Thank you to all involved with the designing, including our High Street Group that’s made up of local businesses, our high street coordinator and the designers.”
Cllr Brennan said ward councillors had pushed for extra funding from South Gloucestershire Council to help support the high street and businesses after the pandemic.