Help for otters crossing Herefordshire road (From Hereford Times)

Help for otters crossing Herefordshire road

9:40am Friday 3rd February 2012 in News

OTTERS are to get a part-time lollipop man to help them cross a busy Herefordshire road.

Charles Pickles, who works for Hereford Futures - the company overseeing the regeneration of Hereford's old cattle market, has volunteered to help the animals cross the A438 at Swainshill.

Charles heard about a number of otters being killed and injured on the road while chatting to locals during the construction of the Yazor Brook flood alleviation scheme.

To prevent further tragedy, the company installed an underpass to allow the animals to get from one side of the road to the other.

As part of his new role, Charles will help to encourage the otters to take advantage of the new route.

He said: “We all like happy endings, and it should be the same for otters. We’re hoping the new underpass will help.”

The Yazor Brook flood alleviation scheme will take water into the River Wye, near Credenhill, to reduce the chances of flooding around Hereford United’s football ground.

It is one part of a multi-million pound project to develop the site, formerly known as the Edgar Street Grid, close to the city centre.