Wildlife protected on new A11 in Suffolk and Norfolk

Protection for wildlife and workers is to be installed on the A11 in Norfolk and Suffolk as construction of a £131m dual carriageway begins.

Main works start later this month on the last nine-mile (14.5km) stretch of single carriageway on the A11 road.

Ecological surveys found species including Breckland mugwort plants, reptiles, bats, badgers, great crested newts and birds which need protection.

Safety barriers and fencing will offer protection to wildlife and workers.

Environmental fencing for wildlife is now being installed alongside the existing carriageway.

This includes about 4.5 miles (7.2km) of fence to keep out reptiles and 2.2 miles (3.5km) for newts.

Since October last year 250 common lizards, 50 grass snakes, six adders and six great crested newts have been trapped and relocated.

Three badger tunnels are being installed to allow animals to cross under the dual carriageway.

Fencing will also be provided to channel the badgers to the crossing points.

Tree felling to accommodate the new road and ground investigation and testing where the road will pass over the River Lark has already been carried out.

Overhead electric cables and services along the B1106 have also been moved so they do not affect construction works.