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.