Sideway, Stoke-on-Trent for Advantage West Midland Amphibians surveys at Sideway in 2004 confirmed the presence of a breeding population of great crested newts on the site. Proposals to remove old tyres (and other contaminants) from the former tip areas would result in the loss of great crested newt terrestrial habitat, and also present a potential risk of killing or harming great crested newts. A mitigation strategy was therefore drawn up by Biota which would allow the removal of the tyres from the site without harming any great crested newts (or other amphibians). A network of vertical and sloping amphibian fencing has been erected on the site to intercept amphibians as they move to the breeding pond, and also to clear all the areas affected by the excavation works and subsequent re-profiling. Two new ponds have been created to receive the amphibians trapped. Two further ponds and artificial hibernacula are to be constructed as part of the required flood alleviation works. All of this work has been licenced by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Trapping will continue for approximately 90 days, and then (if the area is clear of newts) the engineering works to remove the tyres can commence.
		Installation of temporary Amphibian Fencing
		Receptor Pond 1 with liner
		Receptor Pond 2
		Receptor Pond 1 after filling and inoculation with vegetation from existing pond