New bypass opens in Hedge End
The Sundays Hill bypass on Barnfield Way at Hedge End, Southampton is now open.
As part of the 1.2km road’s construction, a new road bridge has also been constructed. The completed works are part of a £24 million investment programme for the local area.
The project is designed to deliver a significant improvement to the local road infrastructure and improve access to the M27 and the flow of traffic around Hedge End.
It is not only the needs of the public that have been taken into consideration by the programme. The concrete bridge that spans 23m is located over an existing watercourse and site of ancient woodland. It has been specially designed to support local flora and fauna – allowing a range of bats to keep their chosen flight path following the water course and within the tree line present.
The wildlife and Countryside act of 1981 gives bats strict protection and states:
“Licences are required for activities that disturb bats and all highway projects should take account of the potential presence of bats.”
Local charity The Hampshire Bat Group supports and works to raise awareness for a species, which is drastically depleting mainly due to loss of habitat. The group, whose logo design features a bat following a watercourse, holds its first indoor meeting of 2019 on February 28.