First "Bee Bus Stop" on the South Coast installed in Brighton

The first "Bee Bus Stop" in the South of England has opened in Brighton, promising a safe place for pollinators to rest and refuel.

The shelter itself is solar powered and has a roof planted with a mix of wildflowers and sedum plants, which are rich in nectar.

As well as helping to support vital insects, the shelter will also absorb rainwater and has smart lighting, which means it will only be lit when a passenger is present.

It was built with materials that are fully recyclable, meaning at the end of its life nothing will go to landfill.

It was installed after a resident in the city launched a petition after seeing similar projects in the Netherlands.

Yazmin Muir, the creator of the petition said:

“I am so pleased we have a Bee Bus Stop in the city and was blown away by the response to my petition.

“When I first saw one in the Netherlands, I was so impressed how effective and creative it was and I wanted to see more of them where I lived. I think they should be everywhere.

“I love living in Brighton & Hove and the more we can do to support the city’s environment and sustainability the better, and this is another great step.”

Brighton and Hove City Council has committed itself to improving diversity in the area, as well as air quality and local climate.

Council leader Phélim Mac Cafferty was there to help open the new shelter and said:

“The new bus shelter doesn’t just look great, it will be a little haven for wildlife. I’d really like to see many more of them around the city. 

“We all know that there has been a serious decline in biodiversity and insects. And the green roof on this bus stop is a perfect way to give nature a breathing space. But this is also about humans- pollinating insects are a key part of the food chain with so much of what we eat dependent on pollination. 

“The Bee Bus Stop is just another example of how we’re working to improve the city’s biodiversity, climate and air quality year-round.”