Nexus, which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, has boosted its eco-friendly credentials with a beekeeping project in one of the Metro system’s track-side areas.
It is the first time in the history of Metro that a project of this kind has been located on Metro property.
Nexus is trialling the beekeeping because honeybees have such a vital part to play in the balance of local eco-systems.
Two beehives have been set up on vacant Metro property in Newcastle, well away from passenger waiting areas, in a pilot scheme which forms part of the Nexus Environment Strategy.
The Metro beekeeping project, which has been running all through the summer, was the brainchild of Edd Smith, a Health, Safety and Environment Officer for Nexus.
He said: “The Metro system is a hugely important wildlife corridor and I felt that a beekeeping scheme would work really well within that area.
“This is great for the environment and it comes at a very low cost. It’s the first time that we have done something like this on Metro property.
“Bees are very important to the eco system. Just one hive with up to 50,000 pollinators in an urban area can have a huge impact on the environment. Bee conservation is also vital given the fall in their numbers.
“We identified an area of our land not too far from the tracks that would be suitable for a hive. It was then fenced off, and made secure and I started approaching local beekeepers to get involved.
“We have two hives in place so far this summer. It has gone really well and we hope to put another three hives in next year. We’ll soon have our very own Metro honey which will be sold locally by the beekeepers.”
Barbara Keating, from the Newcastle and District Beekeepers’ Association, said: “Not everyone can keep bees, but we can all help by planting bee friendly plants and shrubs. The edges of railways like the Tyne and Wear Metro are largely left fairly wild, and provide good forage.”
Bees are vital to the eco-system as they are pollinators transferring grains of pollen from one plant to another, to fertilize the ovaries of flowers. This is not only benefits the agricultural industry it also benefits the spread of wildflowers and plants.
Bees are part a group of animals called pollinators. Pollinators transfer pollen from one flower to another, fertilizing the plant so it can grow and produce food. Cross-pollination helps at least 30 percent of the world’s crops and 90 percent of our wild plants to thrive.
It’s estimated that bees pollinate around a third of the food that we eat
Without bees to spread seeds, many plants, including food crops, would die off.
As a result of various impacts on the environment, bees are suffering a collapse in their numbers and beekeeping is one of the ways to help sustain them and ensure the pollination continues.
The Newcastle and District Beekeeper’ Association hold regular meetings provide information and a support network for beekeepers and bee supporters alike. You are welcome to come to three meetings for free. Membership runs from as little as £14.50 per year.