New Protection For Great Crested Newts During Railway Upgrade

Great Crested Newts are to be given extra protection during work to electrify the railway to Market Harborough.

Network Rail has pledged new habitats will be created for the rare amphibians, where the work disrupts their existing homes.

The engineering firm, which began vegetation clearance near the tracks through Market Harborough last month, is one of the first to be granted a new licence by the Government agency, Natural England.

The line is being electrified from Kettering, through Desborough, Little Bowden to Market Harborough Railway Station.

Usually found in ponds, woodland or underground, the protected species of newt can sometimes be impacted by essential improvement, safety or maintenance work on the railway.

A Great Crested Newt

The scheme is being carried out in collaboration with NatureSpace Partnership – an organisation dedicated to working with conservationists, industry and developers to understand, grow and protect the great crested newt’s habitat.

Gary Walsh, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “We’re committed to supporting wildlife and increasing biodiversity. This can be a tricky balance for our industry which relies upon heavy engineering and important standards to keep everyone safe.

“We’re delighted to have received a licence from Natural England that will allow us to actively improve how we look after this vital protected species while still delivering infrastructure investment which is essential to the community and economy as we look to come out of the COVID pandemic.”

The railway approaching Market Harborough

The Midland Main Line Upgrade is being carried out between Market Harborough and St Pancras International and the licence covers all aspects of the improvement programme, from setting up compounds to building railway embankments and installing new equipment.

Dr Tom Tew, CEO of NatureSpace, said: “The great thing about this licence is that it delivers a long-term and landscape-scale approach to the conservation of a rare and declining species. Not only are individual newts moved out of harm’s way during rail operations, but we and our partners are creating and managing top-quality new ponds and habitats along the length of the railway line. It’s quicker for Network Rail and avoids delays to engineering but it’s also much better for great crested newts and for a whole host of other wildlife too.”

Network Rail is committed to increasing biodiversity and balances improvements to the railway with essential work to create new habitats and protect the environment for future generations.