20/5/2009 - Home comforts for Brigsteer badger set

A group of badgers have been given a helping hand in setting up home by Cumbria Highways.

Up to eight badgers have moved in under a section of the Toll Road (U5603) at Brigsteer, just south of Kendal - but their burrowing around and underneath the carriageway had weakened the road, leaving strengthening and resurfacing work needed. 

So on Tuesday (May 19), Cumbria Highways - under the supervision of the RSPCA and Natural England - replaced the animals’ tunnel and put in new pipes to protect the road as well as ensuring the set remains unharmed and a suitable home for the badgers.

Natural England gave permission for the scheme to go ahead and the badgers were off site while the work was carried out.

The work involved taking off the surface of the carriageway to access the den, which allowed contractors to finish off and improve the building project the badgers had started.

But with tools and technology rather than paw and claw power at their disposal the task was completed more quickly and efficiently than the badgers had managed.

Once improvement work on the den was finished, the road surface was covered and strengthened.

Nick Raymond, Cumbria Highways area engineer for South Lakeland, said: "What we’ve tried to achieve here is to strike a balance between allowing the badgers to remain in their den, but not let them cause any further damage to the road that might have led to inconvenience for motorists."

ENDS

The attached photo shows work taking place on site at Brigsteer.

Cumbria Highways is the partnership between Cumbria County Council, Amey and Capita Symonds that maintains and improves Cumbria’s road network. 

Media enquiries to media officer John Ballard on 01228 226330.