Breeding badgers cause roads chaos until summer

MOTORISTS face chaotic detours because a road has sunk after a family of badgers tunnelled under it.

The council has posted warning signs and set up diversions round Flowton Road in Somersham, Suffolk, but it is causing mayhem.

At least one villager has been cut off from the outside world, and James Caston, chairman of Somersham Parish Council, said lorries transporting fertiliser, wheat and oats can’t deliver to his farm, putting a strain on his business.

“Gradually, the road started to sink. Just before it was shut, it got a lot worse,” he said. “I am having to go all the way round the village every time I want to put fertiliser down,”

Villagers have also slammed “unthinking” motorists who are knocking down the road closure signs and driving through. Mr Caston said: “Obviously people should not be driving down there – if a road is closed, it is closed for the public’s safety.”

Badgers are a protected species, so the council cannot repair the road until it has permission from Natural England. A Suffolk council spokesman said “To ensure that badgers are not disturbed during their breeding season Natural England usually only issue licences between July 1 and Nov 30.

“Suffolk Highways are now liaising with Natural England to plan the necessary repair works, which are likely to be undertaken during the summer.

“It will therefore be necessary to keep this emergency road closure in place until we are able to carry out these repair works.”