Badger-closure Suffolk road could reopen next month

A badger sett found beneath a partially-collapsed road has led to a lengthy closure

A village road partially closed for six months after a badger sett was found beneath it could reopen next month, highways officials said.

Temporary traffic lights were installed for a pothole repair on the main road in Hulver, a village in north Suffolk.

However, work stalled on the B1127 once the presence of badgers was found, as the protected species cannot be moved while they may have young.

The site is being monitored but could be reopened in late November.

As a protected species, "it is illegal to interfere with badgers or their setts without a licence from either Natural England or Natural Resources Wales", the Badger Trust states on its website.

"These are only issued under certain circumstances, during certain months of the year (usually excluding December to June, when badgers are pregnant, giving birth or bringing up badger cubs), and under strict conditions as part of protecting this iconic native species."

The traffic lights were installed earlier this year - and are still there

Listen: Pothole delay repair due to badger sett

One resident of Hulver Street, near Beccles, who did not wish to be named, said it was "originally just a pothole" but the road had now been partially closed since April.

If the situation was not resolved soon, it "could be closed for another eight months", he told BBC Radio Suffolk.

"It's a nuisance because that road is so bad anyway."

It was a "very busy road" being used by industrial and farm vehicles as well as cars.

Asked about the lengthy repairs, he said: "People need to get on with it."

A badger sett was found by workers investigating a pothole on the road through Hulver

A spokesperson for Suffolk Highways - part of Suffolk County Council - said it was working "to prioritise works at Hulver Street to enable the removal of the temporary traffic management currently in place in the interests of public safety and the protection of nearby badgers.

"A licence has been granted by Natural England, however, before repairs can commence, a period of controlled monitoring, lasting for a minimum of 21 days, must be undertaken by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.

"We anticipate works will be completed by the end of November, subject to any badger activity potentially identified by the [trust], who we will continue to work closely with to achieve the desired outcome for the community whilst protecting our county's wildlife."

Suffolk Wildlife Trust said the "controlled monitoring... commenced [at] the start of October and all being well will conclude before the end of the month".

It said the work was being carried out by its "professional ecology consultancy, Wilder Ecology".