Graham Dakin, Project Manager from the Highways Agency, explains "There are so many trees, shrubs and hedgerow plants that need to go in to help complete the work on the A69 bypass. We thought it would be an interesting project for the school to get involved in and would help the pupils understand a bit more about the work that has been going on to build the new road. The school and its community have been big supporters of the work so it's nice to give them a chance to get more actively involved."
Head teacher, Audrey Cox, added "We've decided to make trees the theme of the whole school day. Class groups will go up to the site in relays so that every child has the chance to get involved and when back in the classroom we'll look at the different species of trees being planted and how trees and wood are used to make other things."
The tree and shrub species to be planted – hazel, hawthorn, holly, wild rose, guilder rose, blackthorn, ash, crabapple, oak, birch, alder, willow, bird cherry and whitebeam – are all indigenous to the North East of England and have been supplied by a nursery in Corbridge.
A total of 55,849 plants will be planted, made up of:
- 214 large trees
- 66 willows for a willow plantation
- 21,760 hedgerow plants
- 28,641 woodland trees
- 5,168 shrub plants.
