· Modify the existing kerbs by adding kerb humps (small mounds of concrete) to allow amphibians to escape unaided from the tarmac surface and help avoid gully pots.

· The most important feature that can be created to benefit amphibians is a breeding pond to the east of the new road. The pond should be of a similar depth to the balancing pond, with curved banks and broad shallow edges. A basking area of rock and gravel should be created beside the pond. The spoil resulting from the creation of the pond should be used to create a south-facing slope. Runoff should be purified by passage through a reedbed.

3.4.1 Great crested newt

· Great crested newts are listed on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 which lists animals entitled to protection under all the clauses of section 9 of the said Act. They are also listed in the annexes of the European Council Directive 92/43/EEC of May 1992, on the Conservation of Natural Habitats and of Wild Fauna and Flora, usually referred to as the 'Habitats Directive', and hence are one of the 'European protected species'. The animals and their habitat therefore have full legal protection and activities which damage that habitat or impede the animals use of certain parts of it are prohibited.

· In practice great crested newts are still comparatively common in certain parts of the country and Britain is by far their most important location in Europe, hence their European protected status. That said, their numbers are in serious decline throughout their range.

· An adult great crested newt was found in a drain near the new toad tunnel on October 31, 1999. A report about this find, together with sketch maps of the site have been sent to David Denman, the English Nature official responsible for the region, who will no doubt give advice on how it affects future plans.

· This discovery may not be as surprising as it first seems since the whole area to the east of Saxon Gate has never been surveyed for amphibia.