To the bat cave...

Design management and consultancy practice TPS has undertaken structural surveys for the Radnorshire Wildlife Trust (RWT) on two disused railway tunnels at Gilfach Farm Nature Reserve and Rhayader Tunnel Nature Reserve. The tunnels have become home for several types of bat including Natterer’s, Daubenton’s, brown long-eared, and roosting tawny owls have also been spotted. The lesser horseshoe bat, one of the rarest species, was found hibernating in the Rhayader tunnel.

The tunnels were bought by the RWT in 1990s for the purpose of bat conservation. The tunnel portals were bricked up, leaving an access grille for bats and bat surveyors. Recessed linesman’s shelters provide good places for bats to hibernate and there are also numerous crevices which may well lead to hidden chambers behind the tunnel lining.

17 species of bat live in the UK and all have seen a dramatic decline, due to the loss of suitable habitat and roosting sites. If they are to survive here, they need our help.

Each winter the tunnels are surveyed for bats by members of the Radnorshire Bat Group. However it is unlikely that the surveyors manage to observe all the bats present as many may be hidden away out of sight. To avoid desiccation bats like to be pressed against cold damp masonry, and the tunnels contain numerous small spaces where they can squeeze in.

A TPS Structures Asset Management (SAM) team visited the old railway structures with licensed bat specialists. Various examinations were carried out to ensure that the tunnels are safe and secure environments for both bats and local naturalists. Jonathan Stone of the RWT thanked TPS for carrying out the surveys, which enabled safe access to the tunnels so that vital conservation work can continue.

Paul Jackson who heads the SAM business said: “TPS had great pleasure playing our small part in the protection of bats and we look forward to closely working with the Trust and local bat groups in the future to help secure a sustainable future."

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