Bridge Repair: Good Practice

 Shropshire Council's ecological advisor, Rob Mileto

 Helium balloon I fished out of the brook - please don't release them into the air!

I'm pleased to report that, before undertaking repair work to the bridge at White Lion Meadow car park, Shropshire Council asked the advice of a professional ecologist so he could assess the impact on the water voles. He contacted the Whitchurch Water Vole Group to ask if we had any thoughts, and I was sent to meet him for a chat.

I showed him where the burrows were sited, and he explained the works listed. We came to some useful compromises that will protect the voles and get the bridge sorted as soon as practically possible. It's terrific when people take the time to ask and check. They should do by law, of course - water voles are legally protected - but not everyone does.