UK Nature and Environment

A tunnel for otters to stop them being killed by traffic as they try to cross the main road connecting Bedminster and Hartcliffe could be installed if Bristol City Council can secure the money. Environmental campaigner Vassili Papastavrou has repeated calls for action that he first made to then-mayor Marvin Rees in July 2023 to move or replace a huge metal grille installed to stop flooding in South Bristol.

The grille system completely covers the Pigeonhouse Stream, a tributary of the Rivers Malago and Avon, as it enters a tunnel under Hartcliffe Way to stop wood and other debris clogging it up and creating floodwater on residential roads at the top of Crox Bottom in Hartcliffe. But since then, environmentalists made the exciting and surprising discovery of otters living at the wildlife haven at the Crox Bottom nature reserve, only for at least two to be killed crossing the road above.

The grille is too narrow to allow the protected animals to enter the culvert across the stream that flows under the busy road, so they risk their lives by attempting to cross it. In a written question to the environment and sustainability committee on Thursday, February 27, Mr Papastavrou said this placed otters under threat of being killed by vehicles.