Fears as bats' roost found in flood culvert

Up to 100 bats have been found living in a flood culvert under a bridge in Powys. The Environment Agency said it had found the mammals living under the bridge in Llanymynech, near Welshpool.

It said measures were now being taken to protect the roost which is at risk of being flooded because water levels can reach the top of the bridge's arches in the winter.

Simon Cuming, a spokesman for the Environment Agency, said hibernation boxes were now being placed along the River Vyrnwy's riverbank to entice the colony of bats from under the bridge.

He said: "We were excited to discover this colony roosting in the culvert, however, they could be at risk during larger flood events.

"With winter and the potential for floods approaching I was keen to provide alternative places for them to hibernate.

"With the help of our colleagues in the hydrometry and telemetry team, who monitor the rivers using these structures, we have identified a number of ideal sites.

"One of the sites, in particular, is very close to the newly discovered colony and will provide the bats with a safe winter home whilst they are hibernating."

He said the agency would be attaching 20 boxes to various gauging stations, which measure water levels, along the river.

"This will increase the available roosting habitat, providing this and other bat colonies with safe alternative roosting sites," he added.