Burrowing badgers cause £100,000 damage to Mablethorpe road

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Badgers in Lincolnshire have resulted in damages worth £100,000 after tunneling beneath a road. The council claims that emergency repairs on the A52 at Seaholme Road were vital to prevent the road falling apart. The reason for the delay in repairs was because badgers are a protected species, and a license from Natural England was needed before any work could begin. The council suggested that all badger sett works must be completed between July and the end of November, ensuring that the repairs were not completed during mating seasons.

While the council sought to carry out the repairs earlier, as the license has only recently been granted, there is now a sense of urgency, and emergency work must be carried out promptly. Councillor Richard Davies has noted that the Mablethorpe area already experiences road closures on the A1104 due to resurfacing work, and the council is aware of traffic flow issues in the town. The A1104 scheme is at a critical point, and it is not feasible to pause it. Hence, the council is expecting to spend an additional £100,000 to make the necessary repairs.

Davies added that the delay in receiving the license was “extremely frustrating,” and a condition of the license insists that the works must be carried out under a road closure, ensuring that the badgers’ safety is prioritized. A three-way traffic light system will operate outside the repair hours to enable road use during repair times. Natural England has not released a comment on the incident.

Despite the frustration of the council, it is reassuring to know that badger protection continues to be upheld. Maintaining the balance between environmental protection and life necessities requires careful consideration and attention from authorities. This minor issue demonstrates how valuable ecosystem services are, and it is only through recognition and protection that environmental stability can be maintained

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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