Bridges help dormice to cross Church Village bypass

Dormice will be able to cross a new bypass safely, thanks to three special bridges costing £190,000.

The bridges are over the Church Village bypass near Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and are part of plans to protect ecology along the 4.6-mile road.

The bridges consist of wire mesh tubes suspended between trees and tall poles.

The Wildlife Trust of South West Wales' conservation manager, Robert Jones Parry, says the bridges should help maintain dormouse populations.

Dormice are a European Protected Species and are subject to stringent safeguards under the Habitats Regulations Act. The Countryside Council for Wales said the "special treatment" for the dormice met EU rules and it criticised "negative reporting" of the matter.