More than one hundred new trees will be planted across Southwark as part of plans to increase London’s tree canopy by ten per cent.
Last Wednesday London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced funding for 2,898 saplings to take root across the capital by the end of this March. A further 4,040 trees will be planted next winter.
“I’m doing everything in my power to make London zero-carbon and one of the greenest, most sustainable cities in the world,” he said.
“London’s trees are the lungs of our city and they can make a real difference improving quality of life in local neighbourhoods.”
The trees will be planted and maintained by Southwark Council; which will also choose their locations.
The mayor has also given more than a million pounds toward 54 community projects aimed at caring for and expanding London’s green spaces.
In Southwark, Bankside Open Spaces Trust has been awarded £40,000 to build a new hub that will develop and test a new model to help communities look after green spaces.
The trust’s chief executive officer, Charlotte Gilsenan, said: “The Mayor of London’s Greener City Fund has enabled us to launch the Green Hub across north Lambeth and Southwark – a support network for groups or individuals with a determination to improve their local area through gardening.
“The Hub includes personal support alongside a programme of training and workshops to help people learn new horticultural skills and meet other gardeners in the area.
“The aim of the Hub is to empower people to improve their local spaces as well as contributing to the health and wellbeing of local communities.”