More than £130 million of British taxpayers' money has been allocated to wildlife crossings across the United Kingdom, initiatives designed to prevent animals from being harmed by roads, railways, and rivers. Some of these projects have faced criticism, with critics labeling them a waste of public funds.
A notable example is Nottingham's 'fish motorway,' a £12 million, 200-meter-long pass on the River Trent. Installed to aid salmon and other migratory species in navigating the Colwick flood defenses, it has been operational since 2024. However, a lack of formal monitoring has raised questions about its effectiveness and value for money. Locals have expressed dissatisfaction on social media, with one comment noting that the fish pass appears to congregate fish, making them vulnerable to predatory cormorants.
William Yarwood, campaigns director at the TaxPayers' Alliance, commented on the significant expenditure, stating, "These eye-watering sums expose why UK infrastructure projects are among the most expensive and delayed in the world. Gold-plated environmental mitigation, from £100 million bat structures to multi-million-pound animal crossings, has turned routine road and rail upgrades into financial black holes. Taxpayers expect their hard-earned money to fix potholed roads and fund essential services, not to build wildlife motorways at eye-watering expense."
Beyond the fish pass, other substantial expenditures include a HS2 bat tunnel in Buckinghamshire, which has cost taxpayers £114 million since construction began in 2024. This 1km tunnel is intended to protect 13 species of bats, including a significant population of Bechstein's bats, along the HS2 route. The project, scheduled for completion in 2027, has encountered setbacks and cost increases. A spokesperson for HS2 Ltd stated that the demands of the UK's planning and environmental consent processes significantly contributed to the high costs, which were largely beyond the company's control. They added that alternative options were considered but rejected for being more expensive or failing legal tests for species protection.
National Highways has also been involved in creating 'Green Bridges' to facilitate wildlife crossings over A-roads. A heathland bridge over the A3 near Cobham, Surrey, cost £3.7 million. This 68-meter-long bridge, covered in heather, has reportedly been used by snakes, deer, and foxes since its opening in May. It also includes a pathway for pedestrians, horse riders, and cyclists.
Another bridge completed in January over the A30 in Cornwall has yet to have its final costs and success rates determined as the project is still underway. Ben Hewlett, senior biodiversity adviser at National Highways, described the green bridges as cost-effective, particularly when integrated into broader road improvement plans and located in areas of high ecological benefit. He noted that these bridges not only offer safe passage for species and protect habitats but also connect local communities and support active travel.