Suburb preservation project is taking root
A project to help preserve the historical look of Sunderland’s oldest suburb has taken root.
Ashbrooke was Sunderland’s first suburb, created during Victorian times, and is typified by its tree-lined streets.
Indeed, trees are such an importantpartofthearea’saesthetic that many of the street names, such as The Elms and The Oaks, take inspiration from trees.
Now a project has taken place to help preserve the area’s greenery.
St Michael's ward councillorshavefundedtheplantingof 28 new trees in the Ashbrooke area to replace those removed in recent years. The trees are mainly limes, but also include some liquid ambers and Norway maples.
Cllr Robert Oliver said:
“We’rereplacingtreestorecreate the tree-lined avenues that are very distinctive to the Ashbrooke area. We have found that during the last year, with people having to stay at home more and maybe taking some more daily exercise, there has been an increase in people beingreallyinterestedinthelocal area and in the environment, andmaybeontheirdailywalks noticing things that could be put right.
"So a lot of residents have been very helpful towards the councillorsandhavesuggested environmentalprojectssuchas this one and others to improve and maintain the local area.”
Many of the lime trees, the original trees used in the creation of the suburb, have been planted along Queen Alexandra Road, with others planted atstreetsincludingBainbridge Avenue, Holme Gardens, Thornhill Gardens and Glenpath amongst others.
The trees were funded by the council's Community Chest budget and cost £3,000.