UK's First Heathland Green Bridge Opens Over A3 Near Epsom
The Cockrow Bridge has opened to the public, allowing wildlife and walkers safe passage over the busy A3 for the first time in nearly 50 years.
A Landmark Moment for Local Wildlife
A truly special piece of infrastructure has just opened its doors to the people and wildlife of Surrey. The Cockrow Bridge, which spans the A3 near Ockham, represents the UK's first heathland green bridge and marks a significant moment for conservation in our region.
For nearly 50 years, since the A3 was opened in 1979, the road has divided the Ockham and Wisley Commons, preventing snakes, frogs and other wildlife from moving freely between these two precious habitats. Now, with the opening of this innovative bridge on May 22, that has all changed.
Bringing Two Commons Together
The 65-meter-long bridge does something quite remarkable. On one side, it provides a track for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders to enjoy safe passage over the motorway. On the other side, it's designed as a heathland habitat, allowing wildlife to traverse between the two commons naturally.
The A3 cuts directly through a 600-acre landscape of rare lowland heathland, which forms a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Lowland heathland is one of the rarest habitat types in the country and has been declining significantly in recent years, making this project particularly important for conservation efforts.
A £2.7 Million Investment in Nature
The bridge was constructed as part of National Highways' wider M25 Junction 10 improvements programme, a £317 million project that began in 2022. The entire junction upgrade scheme includes eight new bridges, expanded lanes on the A3 and a larger roundabout at the Wisley Interchange.
Jonathan Wade, Senior Project Manager for National Highways, explained the thinking behind the project: "When we embarked on this scheme, we knew we had to construct eight new bridges. Partway through the design, we recognised that with the heathland on both sides, we had the opportunity to create the UK's first heathland green bridge."
More Than Just Wildlife
While the bridge is primarily designed to help amphibians and reptiles increase their gene pool and move safely between habitats, it also creates a six-kilometre-long route for non-motorised road users. This means walkers, cyclists and horse riders now have a continuous bridleway through the area.
The Surrey Wildlife Trust has championed the project, describing it as a "real turning point" for the area's wildlife and a "significant step forward" in demonstrating that development and nature can co-exist together.
After years of construction work, the Cockrow Bridge's opening signals that the wider M25 Junction 10 improvements are nearing completion. The bridge was installed in just two days in January 2025, ahead of schedule—a remarkable feat of engineering that has given us one of the country's most unique motorway bridges.
Source: UK's first green bridge opens over Surrey A3 offering walkers and wildlife safe passage