Bats Challenge Road Route
Caerphilly Campaign Feb 22nd By Sarah Wood

Protestors are calling for a complete halt on ground investigation work for the Sirhowy Enterprise Way because of a threat to bat colonies.

The head of the enviroment section of the European Commission has written to campaigners following complaints that the bypass would threaten around six bat colonies living in trees in or near St David's Wood. The commission say all species of bats in the UK are protected under a habitats directive. Any disturbance or destruction of their roosting sites is banned.

In a letter from the Directorate General of the Enviroment Office, references are made to Caerphilly Council`s own Enviromental Statement from October 2000. This accepts that various species of bat are present on the site. The commission say that any disturbance of these sites will contravene Article 12 of the Directive. The letter states

"this requires that's bats shall not be deliberately captured, killed, or disturbed and that member states shall prohibit the deterioration or destruction of their breeding sites and resting places."
It adds "we are therefore writing to the United Kingdom authorities to ask for clarification as to how they intend to ensure that these requirements will be met with regard to bat species found to be existing on the site of the proposed road".

Protestors are now calling for all groundwork activity, involving drilling boreholes along the route of the road, to be stopped. Blackwood councillor and long term protestor, Kevin Etheridge, said "I have requested that the chief executive of Caerphilly Council stop all exploratory upon the whole site until bat specialists can undertake an in-depth assessment of the bat roosts. We must ensure the safety of these endangered specied."

Carl Taylor, leader of the St David's Wood Appeal, added "The authorities have been aware of these bat roosts for many years, but have failed to recognise the importance of these species and their habitats. We are now calling on Cllr Etheridge to lobby the authorities to suspend all work and undertake a full written investigation."

A spokesperson for Caerphilly County Borough Council say they have received no correspondence from the European Commission.

Irene Jones, mother of Manic Street Preacher Nicky Wire and poet Patrick Jones, organised the EC lobby and said this was a major breakthrough for the protest group. Mrs Jones said "we began writing to the Commission in April last year and they gave us plenty of information on protected wildlife species. We submitted evidence and maps giving details of long established bat habitats in the woodland and finally they appear to have taken notice. This may put a stop to the ploughing ahead of the road."