Newt haven created in new Redbridge cycle circuit site

Great crested newts will get their own habitat within the wildlife area of a new cycle circuit site the London Development Agency (LDA) is developing in Hainault.

The endangered species, which are protected by law, are being relocated as part of the preparation work to build a new 2km cycle circuit and off road trails at Hog Hill. It will replace the nearby Eastway Cycle Circuit in Stratford which is being turned into the Olympic Velopark.

Protecting the population was one of the planning conditions when Redbridge Council granted permission in February. The LDA had to wait for the newt breeding season, between March and June, to do an initial survey which found a medium population.

A methodology for relocating the newts to a new home then had to be approved by conservation body Natural England which granted a licence for workers to begin catching and moving them to a purpose built haven.

Vincent Bartlett, LDA planning manager, said: "We are making a receptor area by enhancing an existing pond and adding wooden logs and foliage -ideal habitat for newts to live and hibernate in. It will be a haven within a picturesque cycling site.

"Ultimately this process has taken eight months because we have had to wait for the soil to be damp and warm enough for the newts to come out, and get our whole approach approved by Natural England. Once the relocation work is finished, work will begin on a first class circuit."

The LDA is hoping building work can commence on the new track soon so it can be ready by the new year - however this is dependent on suitable weather for catching newts in the coming weeks and the completion of an archaeological scan of the area. The site will include a new clubhouse complete with clubrooms, changing rooms, an office and repair room.

Pete Lawrence, senior ecologist at Land Use Consultants - which is carrying out the newt relocation on behalf of the LDA, said:

"This type of translocation projects is relatively common place around the country. The numbers of great crested newts have dropped significantly over the years because of habitat loss, particularly of ponds, due to the intensification of farming and development.

"The new circuit will be a safe spot, providing habitat for them to foliage for insects and grubs and hibernate in winter. They come out at night when the cyclists have left because it is too dry for them in the daytime."

Workers from Land Use Consultants have been catching the newts by dividing the 18 hectare site into rectangular areas using plastic screening. A mixture of 600 traps including bottle traps (set in water) and pitfall traps (set against the edge of the plastic sheeting) are used to catch the newts while they hunt for food at night. They also find newts under artificial felt refuges they have made around the site. The workers then empty the traps early in the morning to avoid the newts drying out and introduce them to their new home.

Earlier this year, the LDA and British Cycling announced interim measures to plug the gap between Eastway closing and Hog Hill opening. They include supporting half a dozen existing venues to expand their racing and coaching facilities. Clubs have also received funding to take on more members while a facility coordinator has been employed to help cycling groups book venues.

Ends

For media enquiries: please contact Andreas Christophorou at the LDA Media Team on 020 7593 8444 or email andreaschristophorou@lda.gov.uk.

Notes to Editors:

• The London Development Agency works to improve quality of life for all Londoners and drive sustainable economic growth.
• On July 2 the LDA took control of the Olympic site - an area equivalent to Hyde Park - following the acquisition of 2,200 land and property interests. The land was handed over to the Olympic Delivery Authority for work to begin building the Olympic Park.
• The LDA has supported those living, working and using land on the Olympic site to relocate. They include 193 businesses, 425 residents, 35 traveller families and 64 allotment holders to find new homes and premises nearby.
• Hog Hill is being developed as a temporary replacement for the Eastway Cycle Circuit which has closed to be turned into the Olympic Velopark which will open for public use after the 2012 Games.
• Great crested newts and their habitat are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Conservation Regulations 1994.