Villagers have been left fuming as a council blunder could force a local road to be closed for 18 months.
Hulver in Suffolk has seen its main road partially closed for 10 months following the discovery of a badger sett but could be closed for a further eight months should the local council fail to gain approval to move the den.
In December last year, council contractors were sent to the area after a pothole appeared on its surface.
But after a cordon was put in place they discovered that a badger sett dug underneath was causing the damage.
After a cordon was put in place they discovered that a badger sett dug underneath was causing the damage
James Warwick/ Getty
However, due to badgers being protected by law, their setts can only be moved between the beginning of July and end of October - and once Natural England grants permission.
Suffolk Highways applied for a removal license in June, but it has still not been granted authorisation.
If the licence is not granted before the end of the month, the road restrictions will remain in place for a further eight months.
Restrictions have caused traffic to build up on the busy rural route as one carriageway has been closed and a traffic light system is in place.
One resident, Michael Leedham said he was angered by the delays and uncertainty.
“I am so angry with the council’s management of the road and these situations," the 80-year-old told the Telegraph.
“I used to be a road engineer and am fully aware of the danger here. I cannot understand the council’s delay in accessing a licence to remove the sett.
"The way this has been handled has been bodged from day one, and time is simply running out. From December to June the council sat on this information and didn’t do anything.
“Why did it take the council so long to inform the wildlife group to remove the badgers? They should have been on that straightaway.
“It has taken months for them to identify they have been burrowing underneath the road and the road could be at risk of collapsing. I have the best interests of the animals and the safety of drivers in mind.”
A Suffolk Highways spokesman said: “The temporary traffic signals are in place to ensure the safety of the travelling members of the public and the badgers.
“We have been working with the relevant authorities to ensure that correct procedures are followed, including applying for a licence from Natural England.
“The design is now complete; however, before repairs can begin, badger activity will need to be monitored for a minimum of 21 days. We are unable to provide accurate timescales at this stage.”
