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TfL to take down ULEZ camera pole bat boxes installed to stop engineers repairing them

Document Cited in Related
Vincent
Published date08 April 2024
Publication titleMyLondon (England)
So-called 'Blade Runners' have vandalised and removed a number of cameras since Sadiq Khan expanded the scheme in August. Others against the Mayor of London's policy have taken to 'blocking' cameras' vision by standing or parking in front of them

But recently, vigilantes have adopted another approach. Bat boxes have reportedly been installed on camera poles in a number of locations, including in Clayton Road in Chessington, North Cheam and Havering.

The Bat Conservation Trust BCT says that bats 'need time' to find and explore new homes, and it may be 'several months or even years' before boxes have residents.

An anti-ULEZ activist familiar with the tactic told MyLondon: "I’ve had reports today that the bat box in Havering has been taken down, along with some in Barking and Dagenham apparently. [...] The Chessington bat boxes are still up.

"Various other locations are presumed unaffected so far. I wonder if TfL are responsible and if so who they got to remove them and if they were fully licensed to do so and fulfilled all the correct criteria and followed procedure or how they’re planning to deal with the matter going forward"

They added that some roosts were removed from Eastbrook traffic lights in Dagenham on Friday April 5. A video recorded by a resident shows the empty poles as they claim officials 'don't seem to really care about bats'.

Now, TfL has told MyLondon that it is removing the shelters with help from experts, in accordance with legislation. A spokesperson for the authority said: “We are working with environmental specialists to safely and legally remove these boxes.”

It is understood that the boxes will be offered to a local animal charity. It comes after the authority denied that it or its contractors ripped down warnings attached to poles with the boxes by protesters in an 'unmarked van'.

Officials add that it is ensuring its activities at the bat box sites comply with relevant legislation. MyLondon asked Mr Khan about what he thinks of the installation of bat boxes last week. The mayor claimed that he was not aware of the tactic as he has been 'busy campaigning'.

He said that the ULEZ expansion was the 'right...

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