Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Jacob Jarvis

Seven-mile 'bee corridor' coming to London to boost declining population

A seven-mile “bee corridor” of vibrant wildflowers is being planted to encourage the insect’s population in London.

The pathway for bees will be formed of 22 meadows sown through parks and green spaces in the north west of the capital.

These will be in place in time for summer according to Brent council, which says it hopes the move will halt the decline in biodiversity in the borough.

A recent study showed a massive decline in pollinating insect numbers in the UK since the 1980s, with the decline of wildflowers attributed as one factor behind this.

The corridor will be seven miles long (Brent Council)

The flowers will not only benefit bees but can also support other insects as well as species such as butterflies, dragonflies and moths.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, who is Brent Council’s lead member for environment, said: "Bees and other insects are so important for pollinating the crops that provide the food that we eat. We must do all we can to help them to thrive.”

While Kelly Eaton, public Realm Policy, said: “We wanted to do our bit to boost biodiversity.

"The Parks team curated the mix of wildflowers with bees and other insects in mind, choosing varieties that would attract these pollinators."

Krupa Sheth sowing seeds for the corridor, which is being prepared for summer (Brent Council)

Worldwide bee numbers have been on the decline in recent years and scientists blame a range of factors.

These include insecticides called neonicotinoids, parasites, disease, climate change and lack of a diverse food supply.

Bees are critical pollinators and food making up about a third of the human diet is from plants that are pollinated by insects.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.