National Highways’ pioneering Surrey green bridge to reconnect rare heathland habitats

Image: National Highways

A groundbreaking green bridge designed to restore fragmented habitats and support wildlife is due to open next month over the A3 in Surrey.

Cockrow Bridge, located near Cobham, Surrey, has been delivered by National Highways at a cost of £3.7 million. Spanning 68 metres across the A3, the structure is believed to be the first in the UK specifically designed to support lowland heathland, one of the country’s rarest and most threatened natural habitats.

The bridge reconnects Ockham Common and Wisley Common, which were severed when the A3 was built in the 1970s. By re-establishing this lost link, the scheme aims to improve ecological connectivity and create a safer route for wildlife to move between the two sites.

Planted with heather and other native species, the 30-metre-wide crossing has been carefully designed to reflect the surrounding landscape while encouraging biodiversity. It is expected to benefit a range of local wildlife, including snakes, toads and badgers, while also providing access for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders.

Steve Elderkin, Director of Environmental Sustainability at National Highways, said roads can often act as physical barriers to nature, splitting habitats and placing added pressure on already vulnerable ecosystems. He said green bridges such as Cockrow Bridge are intended to reverse some of that damage by reconnecting landscapes and delivering lasting environmental gains alongside essential transport infrastructure.

The new structure replaces an older pedestrian bridge dating from the 1980s, which provided a crossing point for people but was not designed to support wildlife movement.

Although green bridges have been used internationally for many years, particularly in countries such as France and the Netherlands, their use in the UK is growing as the sector places greater emphasis on sustainable infrastructure and biodiversity net gain. Comparable wildlife-focused crossings are already in place on routes including the A556, A30 and A21.

National Highways hopes the scheme will not only help local species flourish, but also serve as a strong example of how major roads projects can be better integrated with the natural environment.