Why was College Road in East Halton closed?

College Road was closed due to its deteriorating condition and a restriction preventing repairs during the badger mating season.

What role did Natural England play in the East Halton road repairs?

Natural England issued a licence for the work and was involved in discussions that led to the lifting of restrictions.

When will the East Halton road repairs be completed?

Full reconstruction is expected to start in spring, with the road potentially reopening as early as May.

Home / Environment / Badger Roadblock Ends: East Halton Repairs to Begin

Badger Roadblock Ends: East Halton Repairs to Begin

9 Jan

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Summary

Road repairs in East Halton were delayed due to badger protection laws.
Restrictions preventing work on College Road have now been lifted.
Repairs are set to commence, potentially reopening the road by May.

Badger Roadblock Ends: East Halton Repairs to Begin

Restrictions preventing crucial repairs to a road at risk of collapse in East Halton have been lifted, marking a significant turning point for the community. Council leader Rob Waltham announced the removal of the six-month restriction, which had halted work on College Road due to badger mating season protections. Residents faced substantial detours and disruption.

Following discussions with Natural England, "long-awaited progress" has been made. Although the council created an alternative badger sett, the animals returned to their original, legally protected site. This necessitated further negotiation, as interfering with badger setts without approval is a criminal offense.

With the restrictions gone, repair work is scheduled to begin. The existing road surface will be removed in February, with full reconstruction starting in the spring. This timeline suggests College Road could reopen to traffic as early as May, easing a major burden on local residents and businesses.