Fence keeps newts safe during rail work

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 28 (UPI) -- Scottish environmental groups are applauding railway officials for including artificial animal dens and a "newt fence" as part of a $480 million project.

Vivienne Gray, Scottish Natural Heritage's area officer for West Lothian, praised Network Rail for including artificial badger setts, otter holts and the special fence designed to keep newts out of danger as part of the new Airdrie to Bathgate line, which will be used by trains traveling between the major cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, the Edinburgh Daily News reported Monday.

"Having recently been along the length of the construction site, I am happy that the collaborative working between ourselves and Network Rail has paid off," Gray said. "Protected species are being managed effectively and natural habitats are being preserved. With an independent monitoring officer being appointed to monitor the work, Network Rail is giving the right level of priority to these issues."

The railway company also won praise for the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for collaborating with the environmental groups to conduct a full Environmental Impact Assessment and create a Landscape and Habitat Management Plan.