A LAMPPOST in Twyford is looking pretty thanks to a new initiative aimed at improving air quality in the village.
On Friday, Theresa May met with representatives from The David Brownlow Charitable Foundation (DBCF) to admire the greenery that has been installed on the light-emitting column just outside the URC hall in Station Road.
The Smart Living Pillar has been funded by the foundation and retrofitted to the existing post. More are planned over the coming months.
Alexander Barfield, chief executive of the foundation, said: “Twyford crossroads is environmentally poor due to high levels of traffic and idling cars at the traffic lights.
“Wokingham Borough Council has put up signage to encourage drivers to switch off their engines whilst waiting at the crossroads.
“They have also looked at the phasing of the lights. However, something more must be done to improve the environment.
“This is the first of several Smart Living Pillars the DBCF will be funding in the centre of Twyford. The DBCF hopes to extend this concept into surrounding areas.”
The pillar follows on from the living wall concept and has a solar-powered irrigation system, which recirculates, so there is no water wastage. All-year round foilage has been planted and a bird and insect boxes are also installed.
Theresa May was at the launch and has been involved with the project from its early stages.
She told The Wokingham Paper: “I’m absolutely delighted I’ve been talking with the David Brownlow Foundation for some months now about this possibility.
“We want to see this being extended, but it’s great, it improves biodiversity.
“It looks good, it makes people feel better and it helps in dealing with climate change, by helping air quality.”
