Footbridge replacement delayed by Newts
The replacement of the Stones Road footbridge, at one time promised by June 2009, has been held up yet again to avoid disturbing Great Crested Newts from the nearby Stones Road Pond SSSI during their annual hibernation period.
The existing concrete footbridge has worn out and needs replacing. The site is too small for the access ramps a modern footbridge needs for disabled people, bicycles and children's buggies. So the plan is to re-open the disused subway and remove the footbridge.
The subway was strengthened for this purpose with steel arches in 2006. The derelict land next to the bridge is needed temporarily for the construction work. It is believed that there are Great Crested Newts from the SSSI in this area. These are a protected species, so the area will first have to be fenced off with newt-proof fencing and any newts returned to the pond under the supervision of a licensed person. This cannot be done until the Great Crested Newts end their hibernation in about February.
Once finished with, the derelict land will need to be restored. It is intended to do this in a way that will benefit the SSSI. The timing of the work will also depend on finding a suitable date to close the railway line temporarily to take down the old footbridge. This will take the work into the next financial year when money is expected to be even tighter, so the newts may delay the work for quite some time.