By Lucy Morgan Audience and Content Editor
The Southern Water eel protection work will last six months, but there will be a diversion via a nearby bridleway. A diversion route has been agreed by Southern Water, as it starts conservation work to protect rare eels, adjacent to the Sandown to Newport cycle path. The project will take six months and it caused outcry earlier this year, when it looked like part of the popular cycle and walking route would be closed for the entire duration of the project. Now, a diversion via a nearby bridleway, suitable for pedestrians and cyclists, has been given the green light.