Southampton to introduce Living Wall on roundabout

Southampton City Council has begun work to transform the newly reconstructed Millbrook Roundabout into a greener, cleaner environment with a new Living Wall made up of green planting.

It is believed to be the first Living Wall of its kind on the UK’s major road network, with work, carried out by Balfour Beatty, scheduled to complete by October this year.

The new Living Walls will take the form of ten green columns which will appear to support the flyover. The plants will sit on free-standing frames away from the columns, meaning the structure is not affected. They are designed to be sustainable, easy to access and easy to maintain, with the frames have an integrated irrigation system which uses sensors that maximise efficiency and minimise water waste.

Research has found that placing vegetation within urban areas has a significant effect on air quality, as well as being an attractive and healthy way to improve the public realm.

Jacqui Rayment, cabinet member for Transport & Place, said: “We have committed to making Southampton a clean, green, sustainable and successful city through our Green City Charter. The Living Wall project at Millbrook Roundabout is the first of its kind in the UK. It’s an exciting way to make our public spaces more attractive whilst at the same time having a beneficial effect on the environment. Investing in greening projects like this will play an important part in safeguarding our local environment for future generations.”