Network bid to relocate native newt species
AN industry first has seen Network Rail’s Eastern Region granted a special licence to safely relocate the UK’s largest native newt species – protecting it from vital engineering work.
The industry-leading initiative will see specialists build new and largescale habitats for great crested newts to move to when crucial railway upgrades disrupt their existing homes.
This balance will allow the amphibians to thrive in a safe environment and in turn reduce any delays to engineering work.
The licence was granted by Natural England following a successful trial on the Midland Main Line upgrade last year. It has now been extended to the entire Eastern Region.
Usually found in grassland, scrub, ponds, and woodland, the great crested newt is a protected species. They can be affected by essential improvement, maintenance or safety-related work on the railway. This brand-new licence will allow teams within the Eastern region to relocate newts where necessary, keeping them out of harm’s way, and in the process helping to create acres of vibrant new ponds and habitats.
Eastern Region environmental manager Hamish Critchell-Ward said: “This is a significant win for sustainability across the region. Our lineside habitats are valuable assets that need management and protection in order to improve biodiversity and create an environmentallyfriendly railway that’s fit for future generations.
“This licence will help us strike the balance between helping lineside wildlife to thrive while allowing essential railway upgrade work to get underway.”