Amphibian Underpass II

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   Posted on behalf of Dolores Byrne, Biodiversity Officer for Newport.

Hi All

One of our CCW grant projects is to assist with the installation of an amphibian underpass in Newport - mainly for toads, as it is proposed to be installed at a major migration spot.

I'm trying to find out if anyone has first (or second!) hand experience of the design and construction of amphibian tunnels.  Specifically, I'm looking for experience in terms of assessing if a tunnel is necessary, highway implications, use of tunnels after construction, maintenance and costs.

I also need to find suppliers of amphibian tunnerls (Froglife have passed me onto ACO, who have a very limited range of stock).

Thanks in advance for any help.

Dolores Byrne

Biodiversity Officer

Newport City Council

Civic Centre

Newport NP20 4UR

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Matt Harris Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 03 Jun 2003 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 233	Post Options Post Reply Quote Matt Harris Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Amphibian Underpass II Posted: 09 Jan 2006 at 10:52am
	Posted on behalf of Dolores Byrne, Biodiversity Officer for Newport. Hi All One of our CCW grant projects is to assist with the installation of an amphibian underpass in Newport - mainly for toads, as it is proposed to be installed at a major migration spot. I'm trying to find out if anyone has first (or second!) hand experience of the design and construction of amphibian tunnels. Specifically, I'm looking for experience in terms of assessing if a tunnel is necessary, highway implications, use of tunnels after construction, maintenance and costs. I also need to find suppliers of amphibian tunnerls (Froglife have passed me onto ACO, who have a very limited range of stock). Thanks in advance for any help. Dolores Byrne Biodiversity Officer Newport City Council Civic Centre Newport NP20 4UR
	Local Authority Ecologist

herpetologic2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Forum Coordinator Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 1511	Post Options Post Reply Quote herpetologic2 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 09 Jan 2006 at 5:48pm
	Surrey ARG have installed a toad underpass - using an ACO fence and tunnel - a design worth looking at would be a guide fence which would lead the toads to a large culvert under the road. The most recent toad crossing registered in Essex has seen toads move along the road and actually use a culverted ditch to get across a road - A large pipe cut in half - possibly made of concrete with a width no less than 2ft wide may help. Of course the pipe will have to be reinforced for traffic - Several other people worth contacting would be Tom Langton and John Poland both of which have undertaken work looking specifically at the issue of amphibian tunnels. The larger the tunnel the more likely toads will use it - it has been suggested. Of course if no tunnel is installed then the squashed toads would pose a significant risk to drivers - skidding etc - so it would be necessary either to prevent toads from getting in the road or divert them under it. A tunnel may have the advantage that it allows animals back under the road - also steps should be taken to encourage toads to stay on breeding pond side of the road - for instance log piles, brash etc for them to hibernate in rather than crossing the road to their traditional over wintering area - the young toads (metamorphs) would hopefully adopt the new habitat Regards JC