IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE
New trees revitalise the streets of Barking & Dagenham
Tree-planting ceremony sees local schoolchildren celebrate a new scheme to breathe new life into
streets across the borough.
23 February 2017, London – Children from John Perry Primary School joined environmental charity
Trees for Cities in marking the launch of a new tree-planting project. A total of 9 trees will take root
across Barking & Dagenham, helping to make its streets healthier and greener.
Each location and species of tree has been carefully chosen to bring maximum benefit to residents.
The new trees will add character and colour to the local environment, and raise air quality for old
and young alike.
On Thursday, 6 local primary school children were joined by Deputy Leader of Barking & Dagenham
Council, Cllr Saima Ashraf to help plant a community tree on Rainham Road South. The kids were
supplied with gloves and a trowel, and were also given a talk on science, pollution mitigation and
looking after the planet.
The project is part of a UK-wide initiative, developed by Trees for Cities in partnership with New
World Payphones. New World Payphones is replacing ageing phone boxes with touch-screen booths
that combine Wi-Fi, interactive maps and payphone services. For every phone box upgraded, a new
tree will be planted, with a nationwide total of up to 1,000. Trees for Cities will maintain the trees
for 3 years before training staff at New World Payphones, who will then take over their care.
This planting season – running till the end of March – the project will include a total of 14 London
boroughs, with a minimum of 150 trees scheduled for planting across the capital.
David Elliott, CEO at Trees for Cities, said: “Trees are one of the most vital elements of liveable and
healthy cities. They help create spaces that promote physical activity, reduce mental illness, and
enhance community cohesion and a reconnection with nature. Our cities’ environments and tree
stocks face multiple risks and threats, and their futures are integrally tied to the actions of the
business sector. The leadership and vision that New World Payphones has demonstrated in
supporting and promoting this programme is truly inspirational.”
Justin Cochrane, CEO of Clear Channel UK the company that own New World Payphones said:
“New World Payphones are helping enhance high streets across London and the rest of the UK with
hundreds of beautifully-designed, British-built phone kiosks – all offering vital telephone services,
free public Wifi and interactive local area maps. As part of this ambitious project, I’m delighted that
we are working with Trees for Cities to plant up to 1000 urban trees – helping leave a lasting legacy
for future generations.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About Trees for Cities
Trees for Cities is the only independent charity working on a global scale focussed entirely on
planting urban trees, inspiring Children to grow and eat good food and providing volunteering
opportunities to bring local people together. Originally established in 1993 as Trees for London,
demand for our services has grown and we now plant trees in 25 cities across the UK and overseas.
Since our inception we have engaged over 70,000 people to plant over 650,000 trees focussing on
health, food security, environmental protection, and providing opportunities for education and
learning through our Edible Playground and Urban Forest programmes.
Our vision to plant trees in cities is global. However, we know the importance of a local focus – we
empower and work with local people to strengthen their community. We are a game-changing,
ambitious organisation which sets the standard for urban tree planting worldwide.
(www.treesforcities.org)
About New World Payphones
New World Payphones is a public payphone provider, and previously part of the Arqiva
telecommunications group.
New World Payphones are transforming telephone boxes in London and across the country. The
new phone boxes feature a modern design with a nod to the iconic London phone box. The UKmanufactured phone boxes have been updated for the 21st Century offering free public Wi-Fi and
interactive local area information maps.
Through a partnership with international environmental charity Trees for Cities, New World
Payphones will also plant a tree in a local urban area for every phone box they upgrade; making
streets better and leaving a lasting legacy for the public.