Letter from Steve Halden (From Swindon Advertiser)

Letter from Steve Halden

3:01pm Monday 6th July 2009 in

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GREAT crested newts are protected by EU law. If council workers damage the habitat of these newts senior council officials could face huge fines or even go to prison.

Work to extend the Swindon and Cricklade Railway has been held up for a year, because great crested newts were found to be living in the path of the railway.

Fortunately the newts have now left the area, and so construction work on the railway can begin again.

Officials have no choice because EU Regulations demand that a very strict procedure be carried out in areas where great crested newts live.

As far as anyone knows great crested newts do not serve any useful purpose in nature, to farmers or to the local community.

No newts is good news when it comes to major building projects within the European Union.

STEVE HALDEN

Beaufort Green

Swindon