Protected snails moved for A47 upgrade project

A group of endangered snails have been relocated which could allow progress to continue on a major road scheme.

The presence of little whirlpool Ramshorn snails living in ditches surrounding the A47 Acle Straight near Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, had led to to delays in upgrading the single-carriageway road.

But according to a report for National Highways, published this week, the snails have been successfully moved to other sites.

Graham Plant, the Conservative cabinet member for highways, infrastructure and transport, welcomed the news but warned there was "still a long way to go before we will see a shovel-ready scheme".

Studies have been ongoing since 2016 into whether the rare snails, that measure just 0.2in (5mm) across, would survive being relocated.

The latest report says those snails that have been moved have become strong breeding populations; recovering and expanding their initial low numbers.

Snails were taken from ditches at Acle using a 0.5mm mesh net.

They were moved to new homes at Shipmeadow Marshes, Beccles Marshes and Sutton Fen, all in Suffolk and Norfolk.

Numbers increased drastically at Beccles Marshes - according to the report - and evidence suggests there is a small but growing population in Sutton Fen, an area that never previously supported the species.

None of the snails have been detected at Shipmeadow.

The original ditches where the snails lived in Acle have deteriorated and varying water levels have made them unsuitable for the snails - the report said.

The report suggested moving more snails from Acle to Beccles Marshes as the A47 project continues.

National Highways says it had already carried out resurfacing and painting new road markings on the Acle Straight, which is an eight-mile stretch.

Average speed safety cameras and signage have also been installed to monitor a reduced speed limit of 50mph (80km/h), down from 60mph.

Plant said: "I welcome the news that the snails are no longer a barrier to dualling the Acle Straight.

"Great Yarmouth needs this upgrade for safer journeys, reduced congestion, and stronger economic growth."

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