Bath and North East Somerset Council has officially opened a zebra crossing on Monksdale Road, Moorlands, more than a month after construction was completed due to an unexpected resident—a nesting pigeon.
The crossing was finished in June, but a pigeon nesting in nearby trees prevented the council from trimming branches that obscured the crossing’s beacon light. Since wild birds, their eggs, and nests are protected by law, the council had to wait patiently until the pigeon left before safely pruning the tree and activating the crossing.
Lucy Hodge, the council’s Cabinet Member for Sustainable Transport Delivery, stated, “We actively work to protect wildlife and apologise that the crossing could not be opened as planned.”
The new crossing connects Moorfields Sandpits Park with the Two Tunnels cycle path, replacing an unmarked drop kerb. It aims to improve safety, especially for children walking to local schools, as part of a broader program of transport improvements across Bath and North East Somerset.
Similar wildlife protection laws also affect the council’s handling of seagull-related issues in the city centre. Egg and nest removal of seagulls is permitted only in serious health or safety cases, under licenses issued by Natural England.