‘Super hedges’ used to counter LTN pollution

Different direction Traffic plan race divide

A NURSERY is planting pollution-absorbing hedges to try to combat the “increase in traffic congestion and pollution” caused by low traffic neighbourhoods (LTNs).

The Butterfly Patch in south London is planting 10 Cotoneaster franchetii shrubs in the hope the “super plant” will soak up toxic vehicle fumes.

The nursery is on South Norwood Hill which borders an LTN where residential streets have been closed to through traffic.

But, staff and parents say LTNs have caused a “huge increase in congestion” as more cars, buses and lorries are forced on to the main road outside the nursery.

Feyez Sheikh, the 38-yearold nursery director, said he hoped the plants would counter the “negative effects” from the nearby Holmesdale Road LTN introduced by Croydon Council.

People from black and minority ethnic communities are more likely to oppose low traffic neighbourhoods, statistics from one of London’s most diverse boroughs show.

Lewisham council asked residents about its LTN, created in 2020. In total, 60 per cent were against with 24 per cent in favour. White people were more likely to support the projects,

“Congestion or traffic displacement” was the chief concern, the council said.

He said: “Pollution is affecting health and the ability to learn, work, earn and rest.

“So, for the welfare of our staff and children, we are planting a shrub called Cotoneaster franchetii, which is the best hedging for negating the effect car exhaust pollution has on the air.”

The nursery, which has 40 children aged three months to five years old on its books and employs nine staff, has spent £200 on 10 hedges.

The Royal Horticultural Society found “super plants” with hairy leaves can absorb 20 per cent more air pollution than shrubs with glossy leaves. Scientists found that in seven days a one-metre length of the shrub mops up the same amount of pollution that a car emits over a 500mile drive.

The Butterfly Patch promotes an environmentally friendly approach to child care, but staff there were disappointed that LTNs meant to promote walking and cycling had shifted traffic on to main roads.

Mr Sheikh added: “These LTNs have forced traffic from wealthier parts of South Norwood to less affluent parts which have disproportionately affected ethnic minorities and low-income families more likely to live there.”

The council has received nearly £1million from Grant Shapps, the Transport Secretary, to introduce seven LTNs as part of his “green transport revolution”.

A spokesman for Croydon Council said: “The Healthy Neighbourhood scheme [was] designed to encourage more drivers to leave the car at home for short journeys.”