The expected completion date of the £6.5 million Ilkeston train station has been pushed back once again on account of the local newt population.

Before construction could begin on the government’s much-vaunted infrastructure project, an initial environmental survey found that there was a colony of great-crested newts living in the area. As this species is endangered and protected under European law, the entire population had to be trapped and moved ahead of work getting under way.

After this, the situation must be monitored until five consecutive newt-free days are recorded. However, the newts continued to be found until an early frost sent them into hibernation, meaning that the monitoring had to be suspended until the spring, when they will emerge from their burrows.

Although the station was set to open in early 2015, this is now impossible. A new finish date has been set for spring 2016, providing the newts are successfully removed.