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All the United Kingdom England Cornwall Dobwalls Bypass Bat Bridge

Dobwalls Bypass Bat Bridge

These "bridges" help confused bats cross the road.

Cornwall, England

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Bat Bridge on the A38 Dobwalls Bypass, Cornwall, UK. (2009  
  rbenn250 / Atlas Obscura User
  gavlav / Atlas Obscura User
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About

According to leading British Chiropterologists (bat experts) bats use sonar to follow the lines of the hedgerows and woods in their nightly peregrinations. So when A38 Dobwalls bypass, a new highway, was going to be built bypassing the village of Dobwalls, bat experts worried that the destruction of the hedgerows by the road would confuse local bats.

To help the local bats and at the cost of tens of thousands of pounds, two "Bat Bridges" have been constructed. These "bat bridges" are made of three steel towers, with cables suspended between them and a series of mesh panels. The idea is that the bats' sonar will recognize these bridges as the hedgerows and help them to cross the highway, though there is no definite evidence this will work.

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Architectural Oddities Bridges Bats Animals Architecture

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The bypass is a clearway and stopping is not allowed. The western bat bridge is level with the Havett Road bridge over the bypass which can be accessed from the village of Dobwalls.

Community Contributors

Edited By

Annetta Black, gavlav, jooniur, mbison...

  • Annetta Black
  • gavlav
  • jooniur
  • mbison
  • rbenn250

Published

September 12, 2009

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Dobwalls Bypass Bat Bridge
A38 Dobwalls Bypass
Cornwall, England, PL14
United Kingdom
50.458109, -4.505266
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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

Nearby Places

Carnglaze Caverns

St Neot, England

miles away

St. Neot Holy Well

St Neot, England

miles away

The Hurlers

Minions, England

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Cornwall

Cornwall

England

Places 20
Stories 7

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