They have halted developments up and down the country – and now engineers have had to install a fence at the side of the M6 near Wolverhampton to protect great crested newts.

It has emerged today that 18in fences have been put in at Junction 10a of the M6 at Essington to ensure the creatures, which are protected by EU legislation, are not harmed during work to open up the hard shoulder of the motorway to drivers. It has cost £1,500.

Highways Agency spokesman Nathan Wallis said: “The fences near Junctions 10a of the M6 have been installed to prevent great crested newts and other reptiles from entering the area where work will be taking place. This fence is part of the preparatory work for a scheme aimed at reducing congestion during busy periods by allowing road users to make use of the hard shoulder. At this site, a total of 100m of newt fencing has been installed.”

The scheme to open up the hard shoulder for use is part of the Government’s £6 billion Manage Motorways programme. It is hoped it will be up and running by summer 2011.

Great crested newts are Britain’s largest newt species. It is illegal to catch, possess or handle them without a licence.