Call for London "sea of green"

Boris Johnson's food guru has called for London's flat roofs to be used to create a "sea of green in the air".

Former newspaper editor Rosie Boycott, who is chair of London Food, told the Times that making use of such roofs to establish vegetable patches could have many benefits, not just in terms of providing food.

She said: "They also help reduce flooding, improve insulation and take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere."

Ms Boycott's plan is partly aimed at providing local produce for Olympic athletes in the 2012 games.

The installation of foliage on roofs, both flat and sloping, is known as green roofing and has been advocated in urban areas as a way of capturing rainwater for use in toilets to take the pressure off water supplies, as well as lessening the urban 'heat trap effect' in which high concentrations of carbon dioxide make the heart of cities very hot in summer.

People renting in the capital may choose to find a flat with a roof that they can make use of in this way.

London Food is part of the London Development Agency (LDA), which deals with many developmental issues in the capital, including those concerning the Olympics.

Last week the LDA announced the opening of Redbridge Cycling Centre, which will act as a public facility to tap into the enthusiasm for the sport generated by the success of the British Olympic cycling team.

Published 3rd November, 2008

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