Pill boxes transformed to create new homes for bats

Our volunteers and colleagues have transformed two pill boxes at Garston Lock near Reading and Hamstead Lock near Newbury, which first appeared along the canal as part of a defence line during World War II, to give them a new purpose 80 years after they were first built.

Their thick concrete walls and roofs create the perfect environment for bats to thrive. The canal is home to a vast range of wildlife. In Berkshire alone you can find 12 of the UK’s 18 bat species such as crevice loving bats like the common pipistrelle and whiskered bat, or cave dwellers like the greater and lesser horseshoe bats.

Heritage training

We held heritage training courses to train volunteers in the skills they can use to conserve these and other historic structures on the canal, bringing benefits to historical assets for decades to come so they can be enjoyed by future generations.

Pill boxes such as at Hamstead Lock have had four of the five slits in the concrete walls of the structure, that allowed weapons to be fired at an approaching enemy, covered and had a door added to create a dark and undisturbed environment. Boxes have also been installed inside, providing cosy roosting places.

The work to convert the pill boxes and time spent by volunteers has been made possible by a grant from Historic England and through funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery.

A fantastic way of transforming the historic structure

Morgan Cowles, our heritage team manager said: “Repurposing these pill boxes to become new homes for bats is a fantastic way of repairing and transforming the historic structures that line the canal to give them a new lease of life and purpose to boost important species and habitats along the canal. This work last year allowed for us to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and the impact the canals had during this period in the country.

“We’ve worked with enthusiastic volunteers to provide them with the training that's needed to continue caring for these and other historic structures that are a part of our heritage along the canal.

“Volunteers have also undertaken survey work to identify the locations of the pill boxes as there are over 130 that were built on the canal alongside 45 anti-tank obstacles built as defences. We're grateful to the volunteers for their hard work and to players of People's Postcode Lottery and Historic England for enabling us to deliver this work to protect our heritage and boost biodiversity."

Keeping canals navigable

Interpretation panels have been installed at Garston Lock and Hamstead Bridge to tell the past story of the pill boxes and of their new purpose as bat habitats.

Alongside the work to transform the pill boxes, throughout the winter we are undertaking a wide-ranging programme of major maintenance and preservation works to keep the canal navigable. The winter works includes lock gate replacements at Hamstead Lock and Heales Lock as well as refurbishment and repairs at Woolhampton Lock and Brunsdon Lock. The top and bottom end gates of Ham Lock at Thatcham have been replaced thanks to funds raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.