According to multiple reports, the bridge, named Cockrow Bridge, spans the A3 near Cobham, Surrey, and cost £3.7 million. It is 223 feet (68 meters) long and 98 feet (30 meters) wide, funded by National Highways. The bridge is designed to blend in with the natural landscape and will be planted with heather and other heathland shrubs.
The bridge replaces a pedestrian bridge built in the 1980s and allows pedestrians, cyclists, and animals to safely cross the motorway. Animals expected to use the bridge include toads, badgers, snakes, sand lizards, silver studded butterflies, and heath tiger beetles. The UK already has several other wildlife bridges, including on the A556 near Chester, the A30 in Cornwall, and the A21 at Scotney Castle in Kent.
While roads have always connected people and places, they are too often a barrier for nature, severing habitats and contributing to the decline in biodiversity.
Steve Elderkin, Director of Environmental Sustainability at National Highways, said: "While roads have always connected people and places, they are too often a barrier for nature, severing habitats and contributing to the decline in biodiversity." National Highways added: "We'll plant the bridge with heather and other heathland shrubs. It will provide a safe, natural corridor for local wildlife to spread and increase across the local area. This includes animals like sand lizards, silver studded butterflies and heath tiger beetles."
We'll plant the bridge with heather and other heathland shrubs. It will provide a safe, natural corridor for local wildlife to spread and increase across the local area. This includes animals like sand lizards, silver studded butterflies and heath tiger beetles.