TOURISM officials are planning to create a ‘green living wall’ on the Bath Road flyover in Bournemouth’s Lower Gardens.

A report to the Lower Central Gardens Trust board says the council will soon be asked to fund the placement of climbing plants on a trial area of the bridge near to the Hermitage Hotel.

Should the trial prove successful plans have been drawn up for the eventual development of a green wall of plants across the entire northern edge of the flyover.

“Subject to securing funding, the trial would be undertaken Spring 2019 and evaluated over the following summer and winter period,” the report by borough resort development manager Andrew Emery states.

“If this proved successful, then a future proposal would seek to extend the trial to eventually cover the whole of the north elevation, which would require further detailed design.”

Several species of plant will be tested to see which is most suitable, according to the report, including large-leaved ivy such as Hedera ‘Gloire de Marengo’, the sausage vine Holboelia coriacea, a dark red version of Jasminum polyanthum and Kadsura japonica ‘Variegata’.

If the scheme gets the go-ahead it could see other alterations to the flyover, including new casings fitted to the existing support columns, a central planter underneath the flyover, and a cathodic corrosion prevention system installed along its length to reduce water damage.

The approval of the council highways department will also be required.

The green wall would one of two major council developments at Pier Approach, as the borough hopes to have its new adventure golf course in place at the ‘Waterfront’ event area by next summer. A full resurfacing of Pier Approach was finished off last year.

To encourage use of this facility during the winter a café extension is planned.

Describing these plans, the report states: “Supporting the development of the golf course and trial green wall for the flyover, a commercial business case is also being developed to undertake an extension to the Prom Café, located on the Pier Approach eastern side of the flyover.

“The proposal would introduce additional internal covers and a heating system to enable the business to capitalise on an increasing demand for services during the winter months.”