Four new bus shelters with living roofs have been installed in Witney to support biodiversity and encourage residents to take the bus.

Oxfordshire County Council and Witney Town Council carried out a review of bus stops in Witney and worked with bus shelter contractor, Externiture, to look at how improvements could be made.

The majority of the funding came from Oxfordshire County Council as the work also included kerb changes and additional hardstanding to make bus stops more accessible.

The shelters have sedum living roofs which will help toward both councils' climate objectives.

As well as being visually attractive, they absorb rainwater, filter fine dust from the air,  and provide a natural habitat and food source for a wide variety of pollinating insects including bees.

Contrasting bright green seats are designed to help visually impaired passengers.

Ruth Smith, leader of Witney Town Council, said: “The council is delighted to be working with Oxfordshire County Council to bring new and updated shelters for waiting for buses.

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"The county has adopted the style that has worked well on Burwell, with the living roof - the first in Oxfordshire!

"We continue to encourage and support travel by bus.”

Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s cabinet member for transport management, added: “Many people rely on the bus to get them where they need to be, and we want to improve public transport wherever we can.

"So, it’s great news that these shelters with their innovative living roofs will soon be in place, making life more pleasant for passengers while they wait.”

The new shelters are at Newland, High Street and two are at Thorney Leys .

Temporary bus stops will be in operation near by while works take place.