RESIDENTS are claiming to have won a temporary reprieve in their battle to protect bats believed to be roosting near the Knap, Barry.
People using the footpath between Clement Place and Lakeside, the Knap, were shocked when they witnessed Network Rail starting to fell trees on the land next to the footpath and the adjoining railway bank.
Lynden Mack, the Green Party’s prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Vale, said it was vital that wildlife, particularly endangered species, were protected: “The law is there to protect endangered species such as bats. The appropriate surveys must always be carried out to ensure they are not threatened.”
When residents made inquiries about the felling, they claim they were told that ash disease was the reason. “But not all the trees are ash and it is believed bats roost in the trees,” said Rob Curtis, chair of Barry Action for Nature.
As a protected species, all bats and their roosts are protected from disturbance and damage. Anybody breaching the law risks fines of up to £5,000 per bat and up to six months in prison.
A Network Rail spokesperson said: “We carried out general maintenance in February, which did not require an ecology survey, although the site was inspected for birds before work started. This work included cutting back trees and vegetation which were encroaching on or over-hanging the footpath.
“We have now received an ecology survey relating to some dead ash trees in the area, and we plan to return to the location in future to remove these trees for safety reasons. This work will only be completed once we have gained consent from the council, which we have requested, and after the bird nesting season.
“When we receive this consent, we will inform any residents who have been in contact with us. Once the trees are removed, we have plans for the area to be replanted with railway-friendly trees and shrubs.”
One resident said: We raised concerns when we were first told that some tree clearance was planned. We were assured that a conservation study would be carried out and told we would be informed of the result before any work started. We heard nothing. We were really shocked and upset when the workers started cutting down trees and clearing the ground.”
Tracey Hammett, whose mother lives in the area, said she had regularly seen bats in the area: “The trees on the embankment are just the sort of habitat they like.”
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