An environmental campaigner has asked Bristol City Council to consider moving or replacing a huge metal grill that was installed to stop flooding in South Bristol, but could be inadvertently wiping out the area’s fledgling population of otters.
The giant grill system completely covers the Pigeonhouse Stream as it enters a tunnel under Hartcliffe Way, the main road that connects Bedminster and Hartcliffe. It was installed to stop the tunnel getting clogged up with abandoned supermarket trolleys and other detritus that was stopping the flow of the river so much that it was backing up and flooding roads and homes at the top of Crox Bottom in Hartcliffe.
But since then, otters have been found living in the wildlife haven created by the Pigeonhouse Stream at the Crox Bottom nature reserve - only for at least two to be killed crossing the road above.
READ MORE: Slow down to save South Bristol's surprising new otter population, drivers told
Now, environmental campaigner Vassili Papastavrou has submitted a question for July’s council meeting, asking the Mayor to look into it, after Bristol Live’s inquiries found both Bristol City Council and the Environment Agency said the other was responsible for the issue.
Otters were found in Crox Bottom in a discovery that surprised experts in South Bristol, because of the isolated nature of the river there. But since that discovery, two have been killed on Hartcliffe Way, and it became clear that the otters were crossing the road rather than accessing the tunnel to go between the Western Slopes and Crox Bottom.
Mr Papstavrou is calling on the council to take ownership of the problem, and review whether the grill can be replaced. “It has become apparent that the grill on Pigeon House Stream was too fine to allow an otter to pass through it in order to travel under the road,” he said.
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“I have since found an example of an Environment Agency grill in Mousehole with a much greater width between the bars which would allow otters to pass. It is unlikely that Pigeon House stream grill is owned or installed by the Environment Agency as there is no sign stating this so it is likely to be owned by BCC.
“Despite the disturbing deaths of these two otters, and several requests by a number of people including me, nothing has been done in the last six months to address the problem. The current harbourside litter bin campaign states that BCC likes otters but clearly practical measures are needed beyond photos on bins,” he added.
“Can the Mayor now take tangible steps to address mortality of otters on Hartcliffe Way? This may include adjusting the grill on Pigeon House Stream in order that otters can pass under the road and otter fencing to prevent the passage of otters across the road,” he added.
The Mayor is expected to respond to the formal question in the week before July’s full council meeting.
When asked by Bristol Live about the screen, Bristol City Council said it was the Environment Agency's responsibility. "It is the Environment Agency who need contacting as it's not a flood risk or a highways issue," a spokesperson said.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said the screen was not one of theirs. "Many culverted watercourses across Bristol rely on trash screens to prevent blockages which could jeopardise people and property due to flood risk," a spokesperson for the Environment Agency South West said. "This screen is not owned or used by us, but flood risk authorities who manage such assets are mindful of issues like this," they added.
