National Highways and partners Balfour Beatty and AtkinsRéalis have opened the UK's first ever heathland green bridge across the A3.

The Cockcrow Bridge, now open to pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders, connects Ockham and Wisley Commons on either side of the A3, providing a ‘unique corridor' for lowland heathland, which is ‘one of the rarest habitat types in the country'.

Ben Hewlett, senior environmental advisor at National Highways, said: ‘Heathland is one of the UK's most threatened environments and is a vital habitat for a wide range of invertebrates, reptiles, and bird species.

‘The M25 junction 10 and A3 is surrounded by lowland heathland, a habitat that has declined in Surrey by 85% over the last 200 years.

‘This is a golden opportunity for multiple species to expand their territories and strengthen their populations.'

Since the structure's beams were installed last year by National Highways, workers have used specialist equipment to transport established turf from nearby land onto the new crossing, with roughly 10,000 square metres of heathland moved from ‘donor sites'.

National Highways stated that by moving established heathland, it was able to create bare ground in the original sites, which will reportedly improve the habitats in the wider environment. It is also a quicker way for the vegetation to establish itself at the new site, as it allows the ‘natural mosaic of plants, root systems and seed banks', along with some of the soil fungi and fauna, to be moved to the new site.

Marisa Heath, Surrey's cabinet member for environment and planning, commented: ‘Surrey's heaths are an important habitat, so we're thrilled to have the UK's first heathland bridge in our county.

‘The bridge links Wisley and Ockham commons for the first time in decades, so we're excited to see the improvements to local ecosystems and the benefits for the species which rely on them. I urge walkers, cyclists and horse riders in the area to visit the bridge and take a look.

‘As we continue to work with National Highways and Surrey Wildlife Trust, we're looking forward to seeing how the new heathland link establishes itself and brings real environmental change.'