Great crested newts are under threat through changing habitats

The plastic fence, which cost �12,200, has been put up as part of a �300m road dualling scheme.

The 'newt-barrier' has been placed along the A465 Heads of the Valleys road at Llanfoist near Abergavenny.

It is to stop the protected great crested newts, which are attracted by the roadworks' vibrations, getting in.

The cost of the fencing is coming out of the overall �300m budget for the road dualling scheme.

Western Power Distribution is replacing electricity pylons in the area, a habitat for the newt, as part of the road works.

The fence was something of a mystery for many of the local people who contacted us Russell Watkins, Western Power Distribution

Nine electricity towers have been removed along the road between Abergavenny and Rassau, Ebbw Vale and are being replaced with 10 more at a cost of �1m.

"The area is populated with a protected species, the great crested newt, which means special precautions and working practices have had to be strictly adhered to," said the electricity firm's project manager Russell Watkins.

"Before any work began on the six month project, we enlisted the help of environmental specialists to make sure there were no newts living on the spot where we were working.

"They also screened our construction site and the main road with a temporary plastic fence to stop any of the creatures nearby from straying.

Great crested newts are under threat through changing habitats

"But it has proved to be a simple yet effective way of protecting these rare newts and the other amphibians living nearby," he added.

The Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) has given its support for the fence, which is expected to stay up for 18 months.

A CCW spokesman said that it was vital to protect existing habitats of the newts because of a decline in suitable locations for the creatures.

The Welsh Assembly Government, which is responsible for the road scheme, said the temporary environmental fence was to prevent the newts straying into the current and future working areas.

"The rate for the fence is �1 per metre and there are 12 kilometres, paid for under the scheme costs," said an assembly spokesman.

Hibernation

This species of newt can grow up to 15cm and it is distinguished by its dark colouring marked with small, white spots.

The areas it can inhabit are very restricted as it has to stay near water for egg laying.

It also needs parts of dry land to forage for food and adequate shelter for hibernation during the winter.

Much of the great crested newt habitat in the UK has been lost in recent years due to ponds being polluted or drying up.

The newts are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.