Popular wild flower planting programme set to bloom in Hartlepool

Wild flowers on Coronation Drive, Hartlepool.

Hartlepool Borough Council launched a wildflower planting programme in 2014 along the A689 which leads in and out of the town.

The scheme was expanded last year and following more positive feedback from local residents and visitors to the town it has been decided to extend the planting again in 2016.

The sowing of a wildflower meadow at Seaton Carew.

This year there are 37 locations of wildflower meadow, compared to 20 last year, and work to prepare and seed the areas has already taken place.

New locations include Burn Valley Gardens, Lanark Road, Kilmory Walk, Elwick crossroads and a number of sites along West View Road.

The colourful burst of flowers are expected to be in full bloom during August (weather dependant).

Councillor Marjorie James, chair of the council’s neighbourhood services policy committee, said: “The wildflower planting scheme has been so well received by local residents and people visiting the town that we have decided to extend the planting again this year.

Garry Jones, Team Leader of Hartlepool Borough Councils Grounds Maintenance Team, and Councillor Marjorie James, Chair of the Councils Neighbourhood Services Policy Committee, pictured at the Masefield Road wildflower meadow.

“The Council works very hard to make best use of its limited resources to make the town as attractive as possible, but planting schemes like this have other environmental benefits as they play their part in helping to protect honey bees, butterflies and other insects.

“We hope people enjoy the amazing displays of wildflowers and that they prove to be one of the main talking points throughout the town again this summer.”

Last year, a number of local people took to social media to praise the wildflowers:

“You so got this right Hartlepool Council. You have brought joy to the community. Everyone talked about it and the wildlife have had a great environment to help them thrive.”

“These look beautiful around the town. Well done Hartlepool Borough Council.”

The 2016 wildflower meadow locations are as follows:

Hart - Southview (new for 2016)

A179 - Hart East (three locations)

Wild flowers at the junction of the A179 and the Coast Road, Hartlepool.

A179 - Tall Ships (two locations)

A179 - Clavering Park

A1049 - West View Road west

A1049 - West View Road central (new for 2016)

A1049 - West View Road east (new for 2016)

A1049 - West View Road Brus Roundabout (new for 2016)

Cleveland Road/West View Road Junction – west side (new for 2016)

Cleveland Road/West View Road Junction – east side (new for 2016)

A1049 - West View Road opposite Central Park

A1049 - West View Road near engine house (new for 2016)

Merlin Way - Green Wedge (new for 2016)

Wiltshire Way - south side/green space (new for 2016)

A179 - Marina Way (four locations)

Masefield Road - west side (extended for 2016)

Burn Valley Gardens - Upper and Lower (two locations, new for 2016)

A178 - Coronation Drive west side (two locations)

Lanark Road (new for 2016)

Kilmory Walk (new for 2016)

Rossmere Park - play area

Rossmere Park - east entrance (new for 2016)

Seaton Carew Park - next to the wild space area (new for 2016)

A689 - Sappers Corner (new for 2016. This is a new area of central reservation to replace last year’s area which has now been sown back to grass as part of a possible three year rotation programme.)

A689 - Claxton Bank Lay By

Greatham - Hill View (new for 2016)

Elwick Cross Roads (new for 2016)

Elwick - North Lane (new for 2016)

Owton Manor Lane/Munro Grove (new for 2016)