161 Kilometres of Newt Fencing Installed by Herpetosure in 2008 – Versatility is the Key to Success in 2009

The Herpetosure Group installed over 161,000 metres of newt fencing across the country in 2008. This is nearly a third of all fencing for Great crested newt mitigation schemes in the UK during the year. The Group also installed 22,500 buckets and refuga tiles.

At the same time, Herpetosure built 83 hibernaculas, including two of which that are believed to be the biggest built in the UK to date totalling 3500 square metres and involving 17,500 tons of material at a security sensitive location in the North of England. The Group dug 23 newt ponds in the last eight months in the South and Midlands.

James Lloyd, Managing Director of Herpetosure Ltd, says…

“2008 was an amazing year on the ecological front for the Group and we remain confident of the next 12 months despite current tough economic conditions. We have found that our proactive strategy of introducing new and exciting materials and installation methods have helped contractors keep to time and monetary budgets on some very difficult projects"

“I believe that versatility is the key to success in 2009. Many projects have been deferred until next year and our clients tell us that there is a lot of work still out there for ecological contractors prepared to act very quickly and professionally even now.We are ready for that demand."

Other ecological works included 4500 metres of water vole fencing, seven dormouse mitigation projects and 18 badger relocation schemes. The Group erected six heated bat boxes and hundreds of small bat roost boxes, 29 raptor boxes and built 2 otter holts.

On the countryside management front, the Group planted 290,000 trees in a wide variety of locations.