Living roof bus shelter blooms in Welshpool

An eco-friendly bus shelter featuring a living green roof has been installed in Welshpool as part of a pioneering initiative to bring nature into everyday transport infrastructure across Powys.

The innovative shelters, with rooftop hardy Sedum plants, are among seven installed across the county thanks to Welsh Government funding.

The living roofs are planted with various species of Sedum, evergreen succulents that require minimal maintenance and flower throughout summer. These hardy plants provide essential nectar and pollen for local pollinators, absorb carbon dioxide, trap airborne pollutants, and help manage rainwater runoff into drainage systems.

The Welshpool installation feature colourful side panels displaying positive environmental messages and replace traditional clear glass with eye-catching visuals designed to inspire residents to adopt nature-friendly practices in their gardens and communities.

The project emerged from a partnership between Powys County Council's Passenger Transport Unit, the Powys Nature Partnership, On The Verge Talgarth / 1 Metre Matters, and BB-Sustainable Tourism, with funding secured through the Welsh Government's Local Places for Nature programme.

Alongside Llandinam and Welshpool, the green roofed shelters have also been installed in Brecon, Callwen in the Upper Swansea Valley, Crickhowell, Hay-on-Wye, and Llangattock. 

Councillor Jackie Charlton, Powys County Council's Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, praised the initiative as "a fantastic example of how we can integrate nature into everyday infrastructure".

"They don't just look great – they actively support biodiversity, improve air quality, and help manage water sustainably," she said. "It's a small but powerful step toward a greener Powys, and I hope it encourages everyone to think about how they can bring nature into their own spaces."

The council has confirmed that three additional living roof shelters are planned for Tregynon, Builth Wells, and Llandrindod Wells later this year as part of ongoing efforts to replace outdated shelters across the county.

Where budgets permit, future installations will also include solar-powered illuminated flag poles to improve visibility and safety at rural or unlit stops.

The council said that the project demonstrates how traditional transport infrastructure can be transformed into green spaces that benefit both passengers and local wildlife, whilst contributing to broader environmental goals across the region.