The United Kingdom has allocated more than £130 million of taxpayer money to construct wildlife crossings aimed at protecting animals from harm on roads, railways, and rivers. However, some of these projects have drawn criticism and have been labeled a waste of public funds.
One of the most notable expenditures is a £12 million "fish motorway" in Nottingham, designed to assist salmon and other migratory species in navigating flood defenses on the River Trent. Operational since 2024, this 200-meter-long pass has not undergone formal monitoring, leading to questions about its efficacy and value for money. Locals have expressed criticism on social media, with some suggesting the fish pass has inadvertently attracted invasive cormorants, making the fish easier prey, and that the funds could have been better allocated to local flood defenses.
Separately, the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project has incurred £114 million for a bat tunnel in Buckinghamshire. This 1-kilometer tunnel, intended to protect 13 species of bats, including a significant population of Bechstein's bats, has faced setbacks and rising costs. Construction began in 2024, with an expected completion in 2027. An HS2 spokesperson stated that the costs were largely influenced by the UK's planning and environmental consent processes, and that the tunnel was necessary to comply with laws protecting vulnerable species. Alternative options were reportedly reviewed and rejected as either more expensive or legally insufficient.
In Surrey, National Highways has spent £3.7 million on a green bridge over the A3 near Cobham. This 68-meter-long structure, covered in heather, is designed to facilitate the safe passage of wildlife such as snakes, deer, and foxes across the busy road. It also includes a path for pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists. Since opening in May, it has shown some success in allowing animals to cross safely.
Another green bridge was completed in January over the A30 in Cornwall, but its cost and success rate are still being determined. National Highways describes its green bridges as cost-effective, integrated into wider road improvement plans and situated in areas of high ecological benefit. These bridges aim to provide safe passage for rare species, protect habitats, and connect local communities while supporting active travel.
Critics, such as William Yarwood, campaigns director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, argue that such extensive spending on environmental mitigation, including multi-million-pound animal crossings and bat structures, inflates the cost of infrastructure projects and diverts funds from essential services like road repairs.