Boris brings 20,000 street trees to London

20,000 trees have now been planted along London's roads as part of Boris Johnson's Street Tree scheme to improve air quality and increase green spaces across the capital.


The 20,000th new tree was planted this week by the Mayor’s senior advisor on environment and energy, Matthew Pencharz. More than 1,000 trees have been planted in Ealing, 400 in Islington and 300 in Lambeth as part of the ongoing initiative.

“By planting thousands of trees, we are making the air cleaner and ensuring a better quality of life for Londoners,” said Pencharz. “This is a fantastic scheme that has improved the aesthetic of busy streets across the capital. The 20,000th tree symbolises the amazing work carried out by local businesses, boroughs and individuals passionate about improving their area.”

The Mayor’s Street Tree Initiative, in partnership with the Forestry Commission and Groundwork London, is part of the Johnson’s wider plans to make London a greener city – including delivering 100 Pocket Parks and funding tree and woodland projects via the Community Grant Scheme.

Meanwhile, the Mayor’s Big Green Fund is investing £2m into improving six areas of London. The funds will make parts of London’s more accessible through walking and cycling routes and more able to buffer the impacts of flooding or heat waves

Last December, Johnson confirmed around £330m of new funding for green initiatives 2,400 hybrid buses and zero-emission taxis as part of plans to tackle the capital’s air pollution problems. The announcement came just weeks after Johnson was forced to accept that London’s Oxford Street has some of the worst air pollution in the world

edie staff

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