The Bridging Forest

We have planted The Bridging Forest at Castle Green Recreation Ground - a valued community space used for sports, dog walking, and recreation. The area continues to face challenges from heavy road traffic and nearby industrial activity, which contribute to elevated levels of air pollution, particularly nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter. These remain key concerns for the council, especially in the surroundings of Ripple Road, where pollution levels are significantly higher.

Aligned with the borough’s commitment to becoming a “cleaner and greener” community, this new forest adds to the growing network of local SUGi Pocket Forests. 450 native trees, including species such as hawthorn and oak, have been planted across 150 m². These trees will help purify the air by capturing pollutants and absorbing greenhouse gases, while also supporting biodiversity.

The park’s open grassland has been vulnerable to the urban heat island effect - most notably during the 2022 heatwave and wildfires when temperatures exceeded 40°C. With the establishment of The Bridging Forest, increased canopy cover will provide much-needed cooling, resilience, and shade for both people and wildlife.