THE WEST BRITON (Cornwall, UK) 06 October 05 Rescuing The A30 Lizard Colony
A colony of lizards is to be protected by the Highways Agency before work starts this winter on a major improvement scheme at the A30 Chiverton Cross Roundabout.
The protected common lizards, along with adders and grass snakes, have been found inhabiting a wall close to the planned improvements.
For their safety, and to prevent the disruption of their hibernation when work starts in December, the wall will be dismantled.
The work has been planned in partnership with English Nature, the Government's official conservation body and will not involve any lane closures or traffic restrictions on the existing road.
The wall will be carefully dismantled under the supervision of an ecologist and any reptiles found will be relocated to a hibernaculum - a purpose-built hollow, filled with stones or rubble as an alternative place for hibernation. The hibernaculum will be located near to the site of the former wall but at a safe distance from the planned works.
Works have already been undertaken to remove the vegetation around the wall and to install a small fence to discourage lizards from returning.
The work is part of a wider £1 million improvement scheme at Chiverton, which has a poor accident and congestion record.
There have been 30 personal injury accidents between 1998 and 2002. The scheme will provide interim improvements prior to the planned construction of the A30 Carland to Chiverton Cross, including better signing, lane alignment and lighting.
The main works at Chiverton are due to start in December for completion next April.
Rescuing The A30 Lizard Colony