WORK on a controversial bypass through a woodland was halted once again yesterday when a protester climbed on top of a digger and refused to come back down.

Environmentalists also staged a sit-down protest at the site of the £55 million Sirhowy Enterprise Way between Blackwood and Oakdale Business Park.

The road is set to go through the ancient St David's Wood which environmentalists and local campaigners are furious about.

The man who climbed onto the machinery was eventually persuaded to come down by police officers after being up there for several hours. A protester, who would only give his name as Pete, said: "It definitely slowed down the work of the developers."

The contractors, Costains, have already faced several set-backs in a project which only began a few weeks ago.

Environmentalists have taken refuge in the trees in a bid to halt the destruction of the woodland and dormice - a protected species - have been discovered on the site rendering work in several areas illegal until they come out of hibernation in April.