The species’ mating season originally meant work on College Road could not begin until the summer but ‘long-awaited progress’ means it should start much sooner
Tunnelling badgers have caused a rural North Lincolnshire road to close for months (file photo)(Image: Getty Images)
“Long-awaited progress” is finally being made on a rural North Lincolnshire road that has been closed since October due to tunnelling badgers. The “breakthrough”, which comes two weeks after an expected delay in work starting was branded “outrageous”, means the road should reopen months earlier than previously thought.
In late December, it was announced that work may not be able to start on repairing College Road, near East Halton, until July due to rules relating to the badgers’ mating season. However, North Lincolnshire Council says the six-month restriction that was set to prevent work taking place until the summer has now been removed while “still meeting environmental responsibilities”.
The authority stated that the initial prohibition was triggered after badgers returned to their original sett beneath the road. The species has had full legal protection since 1992. This makes it illegal to kill, injure or capture a badger as well as disturbing, damaging or destroying their setts. However, Natural England can issue licences permitting activities affecting the species in some circumstances.
The potential delay led to council leader Cllr Rob Waltham saying it was “outrageous” repairs may not be able to begin until July and urged Natural England to take “urgent, pragmatic action” to work towards reopening the road. At the time, Natural England told the Telegraph: “We issued North Lincolnshire Council with a licence on 13 October to carry out this work ahead of the badger breeding season. In exceptional circumstances, we can grant extensions to licences. We will be discussing next steps with North Lincolnshire Council in the new year.”
The council now says a “collaborative approach” has been taken to resolve the issue and the essential repair work can now begin “ending months of enforced inaction and restoring momentum on a scheme that has had a major impact on daily life in the village”.
North Lincolnshire Council welcomed the “flexibility shown by Natural England” and the support from Brigg and Immingham MP Martin Vickers, who raised the issue in Parliament. Cllr Waltham said: “I want to thank Natural England for the pragmatism they have shown.
College Road, near East Halton, has been closed due to badgers tunnelling beneath it(Image: North Lincolnshire Council)
“That flexibility has lifted a six-month prohibition and finally allowed work to start – which will make a real difference for residents of East Halton.
“This has never been just about a stretch of road. It’s been about residents facing long detours, farmers trying to run their businesses, and a community feeling cut off. Being able to get spades in the ground again is a crucial turning point.”
The council says teams are now being deployed to the site to carry out further surveys and ground investigations, including work to assess foundations, ground stability, drainage and the steep banking alongside the road. This will “inform the detailed design needed to rebuild the road safely and install modern safety barriers”.
The existing road surface is now set to be removed next month with a full reconstruction – including stabilising the ground and rebuilding the carriageway – starting in spring and taking around six to eight weeks to complete.
The road is now expected to reopen as early as May, rather than October as previously anticipated. Cllr Waltham added: “There is still challenging work ahead, but this shows what can be achieved when everyone focuses on outcomes and recognises the urgency of getting everyday life back to normal.”