A21 Scotney Castle Green Bridge

The bridge was constructed as part of a Highways England improvement scheme for a new dual carriageway bypass around Lamberhurst village. A one-way road runs through the centre of the bridge, reconnecting the historic West drive to Scotney Castle. The bridge also serves as a connection between two woodlands and was designed to continue the roll of the hill that was disrupted by the bypass. Stumps from trees that were cut down for the bypass were put onto the bridge to give a more natural feel, one of which is now regenerating.

Highways England handed the management over to the National Trust in 2006. The National trust used traditional management techniques such as hedge laying to create a safe and connected habitat for wildlife. Further management includes annual hay cutting of the grass verges and rotational scrub cutting to keep a mosaic of habitat and reduce the load on the bridge.

Nest boxes for dormice were placed on the bridge and 6 years after construction breeding dormice were recorded. A wealth of wildlife has been recorded using the bridge including deer, foxes and badgers. Bats were found to be using the bridge as a flyway across the bypass. The bats were using the vegetated part of the bridge to navigate over the duel carriageway rather than the hard feature of the bridge itself.