Joint highways and school project is the bee鈥檚 knees
An environmental initiative that aims to increase biodiversity and attract wildlife near to one of Newcastle鈥檚 major roads created a hive of activity at one of the city鈥檚 schools.
Broadwood Primary School, located close to the A1 where Highways England is increasing two lanes along a five-mile stretch to three narrower lanes, were delighted to get involved in creating bug hotels and planting wildflower seeds to help local wildlife flourish.
Dozens of youngsters got stuck in collecting and recycling items to produce an important shelter, attracting flies, bees, moths and butterflies which are integral to flower pollination and act as a food source for various bird species.
Diane Wilkinson-Best, Early Years teacher at the Denton Burn based school, said:
Starting our children off early learning about our environment and looking after the animals we share our planet with is really important.
By getting our pupils creative through this joint initiative they feel a sense of joy at making things that will make a difference and have a lasting effect.
Pupil Sophie, aged 4, said:
We made bug hotels by putting some twigs and leaves in bottles and we put them somewhere safe for the bugs so they can live there.
The strategic road network is one of the country鈥檚 largest national assets 鈥� stretching for nearly 4,500 miles and connects people, businesses and communities with the places they need to be. It also has approximately 30,000 hectares of green verges which contains a range of habitats and supports a rich variety of plants and animals.
Teams working on major Highways England projects have dedicated officers who work closely with local communities.
Highways England project manager Tom Peckitt said:
We want our roads to work more harmoniously with the communities that live alongside them, and the built, natural and historic environments that surround them.
Educating our next generation about biodiversity and getting young people involved in creating better environments for our wildlife will provide a legacy of healthier habitats and greater diversity alongside our roads.
Highways England鈥檚 multi-million investment along the A1, between junction 74 at Spotswood and junction 79 at North Brunton, will鈥痯rovide extra room,鈥痠mprove鈥痡ourney鈥痶imes, support economic growth鈥痑nd鈥痠mprove鈥痵afety.
Narrower鈥痩anes and a temporary safety barrier鈥痟ave been鈥痠nstalled on northbound and southbound carriageways鈥痑nd work is under way within鈥痶he鈥痗entral reservation, which is a鈥痯ivotal part of the鈥痯roject. The team have started resurfacing and installing the new concrete barrier which will improve safety for the thousands of drivers who use the route every day.
All work is being carried out overnight (8pm to 6am) under lane and full carriageway closures, and clearly signed diversions will be in place. Drivers are urged to register for updates regarding鈥痶he upgrade, closures and diversion routes鈥痓y visiting鈥痶he 鈥痮r鈥痮n Twitter @HighwaysNEAST鈥痺ith the hashtag鈥�#A1S2NB.
All鈥疕ighways England鈥痵ites have strict safeguarding measures, in line with Public Health England guidance, to prevent the spread of Covid-19鈥痑nd none of鈥痶he鈥痵ites are open to the public.鈥�
The latest information on Highways England鈥檚 biodiversity work can be found in its and further details are available in its .
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
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