Bats in Worcester are to get their own red-light area. LED bulbs that emit a red glow will provide bats with a 60-metre-wide crossing area on the A4440, near to Worcester’s Warndon Woodlands nature reserve.

Worcestershire county council said research had shown that some species of bat are light shy and will not cross roads lit by white lights, which can stop them finding food and water. Standard street lights also attract insects that bats feed on, reducing the supply available in their feeding areas.

The red-light scheme – believed to be a first for UK bats – will be installed to overcome these problems but also ensures the safety of all road users, said Ken Pollock, a local councillor. “These lights are a great example where we have been able to adapt the usual standards to better suit the local environment. The adapted lighting may look a little different at first, but we’d like to assure those using the area at night that the colour of the lights has been through stringent testing and adheres to all safety checks.”

Visibility for drivers and pedestrians is not affected by the red light and the scheme is fully compliant with the required standards, the council added.