Work was potentially going to be delayed for months until a ‘breakthrough’ was made last month
Badgers have caused a rural North Lincolnshire road to be closed since October (stock photo)(Image: Getty Images)
Essential repair work on a rural route in North Lincolnshire that has been closed for months due to badgers is gathering pace. It follows a major breakthrough in a long-running saga over local wildlife burrowing beneath College Road, near East Halton.
Teams have now arrived on site with “visible progress being made”. The road, which has been closed since October, became a point of significant local frustration after the tunnelling badgers dug beneath the carriageway leaving it unsafe to use.
Under rules protecting badger setts, the animals’ mating season threatened to delay any physical repairs until July. This lengthy potential prohibition was previously branded “outrageous” by North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham, who argued that the closure forced residents into lengthy detours and hindered local farmers.
However, a “breakthrough” collaborative agreement with Natural England allowed the restrictions to be lifted, ensuring the road can be reopened months earlier than the original October estimate.
Progress is now being made on the embankment, with clearance work successfully completed last week.
In a light-hearted moment during the initial phase, a curious badger was spotted inspecting the area near the sett, but it ultimately decided not to move back in, allowing contractors to proceed without further delay.
The focus has recently shifted to stripping back old safety barriers and establishing the site for major engineering works. Crews are beginning the critical task of reinforcing and stabilising the embankment to secure the long-term future of the road.
This phase follows extensive ground investigations into drainage and soil stability required to support the new carriageway.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “It’s good to see work progressing on College Road. This shows what can be achieved when we take a sensible, pragmatic approach and work closely with partners.
“I want to thank Natural England for the constructive way they’ve worked with us to get this project moving. There’s still a way to go but great to see that work is cracking on.”
Ground reconstruction and full carriageway rebuild is expected to take around six to eight weeks once the main works begin. This is due to start in the Spring with the road expected to reopen as early as May.