Driving into Truro will soon be a more colourful experience thanks to a project to plant more areas of wildflowers along the A390.

The planting has been carried out by Cormac and Truro City Council, with support from Cornwall Council’s localism team.

A two kilometre stretch of the central reservation of the A390 from Threemilestone roundabout to beyond the Treliske roundabout will soon bloom with yarrow, poppy, bird’s-foot trefoil, daisy and clover.

Not only will the flowers improve the look of one of the main routes into the city, they’ll also help to support birds, bees and other wildlife. Verges also provide a potential habitat for rare flowers.

The majority of the flowers are native species and, weather permitting, will start to blossom around the end of June. Six cherry trees have also been planted on the reservation south of Treliske roundabout.

Around 7400m² of seeds were cast using hydro-seeding, where the seeds are mixed with mulch into a solution that is then sprayed over the area to be planted.

This method improves the chances of the seed germinating successfully and provides a more accurate spread rate. Embedding seeds into the mulch also substantially lowers the chance of them blowing away in a breeze.

Sue James, Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for the environment says: “We’ve lost so many insects and pollinators over the years and we’ve got to do something to put habitats back. So we’re creating wild flower corridors along our roads to help insects and pollinators flourish. This is very much part of the council’s environmental growth strategy and the Pollinator Action Plan that we’re launching.”

Cornwall councillor for Threemilestone and Gloweth Dulcie Tudor said: “I’ve long been arguing that my side of Truro (Gloweth Threemilestone) is the ‘Cinderella’ side. So I’m delighted about these improvements and the council’s assurance that the planting will be maintained by Cormac and Truro City Council Parks Management who do such a good job on the Eastern side of Truro.”

“This marks an end to two different standards evident for the key gateway routes into Truro. It’s important. Not least because the visual impact of the A390 into Truro reflects the Council’s ambitions for development on this corridor. But it gives me some idea of the Council’s aspirations for the ‘new town’ at Langarth.

Who would want to live or work in area that doesn’t look like it’s being cared for? It’s going to be really exciting watching the wildflowers coming up in June. There are more visual improvements planned for the A390 in my area so watch this space.”

Cllrs Holroyd and Green from Kenwyn Parish Council have also welcomed the move to spruce up the area. Cllr Holroyd, chairman of Kenwyn Parish Council said: “It’s great that there is more of an effort being made to show off this side of Truro.”

Cllr Green adds: “This is one of the first areas of the city that people coming in on this busy road sees and it needs to be a positive view.”

Mayor of Truro Lindsay Southcombe said: “This scheme links to the wider scheme, Wild Truro, involving the wild flower seeding of a number of sites in the City as well as attractive pollinator and wildlife friendly planting of beds.”