BADGERS, red squirrel and deer will be protected against becoming roadkill with the creation of dedicated wildlife bridges in a Scottish first.
The crossings will be covered in topsoil, small trees and shrubs to encourage animals to stay off the road once a 12km section of the new Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) is complete.
The two structures will bring the “ecoducts” concept to Scotland almost 30 years after it was pioneered in the Netherlands.
They will be installed on the new roadway between Balmedie and Tipperty to ensure local species do not lose access to key habitats or the chance to mix with different colonies.
Mammal-proof fencing will be used to guide wildlife away from the traffic artery and on to the vehicle-free dedicated pathways, with greenery planted on and around the structures to mimic their habitats and provide cover.
In addition, a further bridge across the bypass at Kirkhill, which will be used by vehicles to access local forests and remote properties, will have one half of its carriageway landscaped for wildlife and equestrian use.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said the scheme will “help to maintain biodiversity in the north-east”.
He added: “These wildlife bridges, along with 17 mammal underpasses, have specially designed planting and strategic seeding to encourage biodiversity.
“These are just some of the measures that are considered necessary to ensure wildlife continues to thrive in the area once the road has been built.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here