Badgers blamed for closure of country lane, near Somerby in Leicestershire
Badgers have been blamed for forcing the closure of a country lane by tunnelling underneath it, causing it to collapse.
Two large craters appeared in the surface of the 1.5 mile lane between Somerby and the hamlet of Newbold, making it impassable to most vehicles.
Highways engineers examined the damage on Friday and say the road will be shut for at least three weeks.
The subsidence was discovered by horse riders from the nearby Somerby Equestrian Centre.
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Horse owner, Katie Jones, who keeps a pony at the centre, said: "The road collapsed just over a week ago. You can see where badgers have dug a hole next to the carriageway.
"It has collapsed and the road surface has fallen in. The same has happened on the other side of the lane."
A worker at the centre said: "The holes in the lane are on the route where we take our horses.
"One side of the road collapsed when someone from the centre was walking past.
"The other side collapsed after a vehicle drove over it."
She said the horses could negotiate the lane, and none had been spooked by the badgers, which were active in the area – and had in the past even invaded their offices.
"One even got in the office one winter and we found it curled up asleep on the floor. We had great trouble trying to get it out," she said.
Simon Galton, county councillor for the area, said: "I have never come across this sort of thing involving badgers happening before.
"Great care will have to be taken to repair the damage. "Before we can touch an active badger sett we will have to get permission from Natural England."
A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: "We are investigating the damage which has been caused to the road and we are in discussions with Natural England, the Government's adviser on the natural environment, as to the next course of action.
"We have to be mindful of the badgers' habitat as well as wanting to ensure the road can be reopened as quickly as possible. It is difficult to say at this stage how long the road will remain closed.
"Leicestershire County Council has granted the emergency temporary closure on Newbold Lane from the junction with Main Street, Somerby, to the junction of Newbold Lane, Newbold, near Owston."
He said the closure would be in operation for at least 21 days.
Traffic between Newbold and Somerby is being diverted through Burrough on the Hill.
Comments
by rhino
Friday, December 07 2012, 11:11PM
“vicky.
Pedestrians are curtious and give way, they also do not walk two abreast.”
by vikki1405
Friday, December 07 2012, 10:54PM
“Rhino said: "your comment just goes to show the arrogance you lot poceess." I disagree, I am giving a level headed response to your comment and referring to the HIghway Code. Your comments, however, are quite clearly based on misunderstanding and ignorance of something you don't fully understand. I feel for any horse and rider, or pedestrian, who uses the same roads as you.”
by rhino
Friday, December 07 2012, 10:50PM
“l also note you have little or no consideration for badgers and other wildlife like your foxhunting friends, who are still sticking two fingers up to the law.
ALL you are concerned with is causing a nuisance on our very dangerous roads!!!!!!”
by vikki1405
Friday, December 07 2012, 10:48PM
“before anyone splits hairs....not all Law. but containing law and referred to in a Court of Law...!”
by rhino
Friday, December 07 2012, 10:46PM
“vicky.
your comment just goes to show the arrogance you lot poceess.”
by vikki1405
Friday, December 07 2012, 10:14PM
“oh what a sensible response. Well I hope I never meet a driver like you on the road, what a lovely person you must be !! the Highway Code is not "a guide" its the Law, so tough really. The laws are there to protect vulnerable people and animals from people like you. Get in the fields? Why don't you stay in your garage? Another silly comment from a very silly person.”
by rhino
Friday, December 07 2012, 9:22PM
“vicky.
THE HIGHWAY CODE is a great guide but nothing superseeds good common sense which you lot seem to be lacking, giving way on PUBLIC roads should work both ways and NOT always in favour of girls playing about with horses. Expecting and sometimes commanding other road users to give them preferential treatment.
GET IN THE FIELDS AND GET YOUR KICKS!!!!!!”
by vikki1405
Friday, December 07 2012, 8:27PM
“Rhino: Riding two abreast is usually done because a younger horse/inexperienced rider is being taken out with an older horse/more experienced rider, and therefore the younger horse takes the position by the kerb. This in fact PREVENTS accidents because the older horse prevents the younger horse "spooking" out into the middle of the road when some ****** burns past in his car. See Highway Code 191: 'remember riders may ride in double file when escorting a young or inexperienced horse rider.' And again, Highway Code 53 says "never ride MORE than two abreast", i.e. its perfectly legal to ride side by side. It is not advised to do so round corners, and any rider who does that IS an idiot, but you get bad apples in every basket! PS - your very silly comment about the 3 horses blocking the road in the photo - the article actually states that the road is SHUT to cars, so there wont be a car travelling round the corner, so I am assuming the photographer felt it would be safe? lol lol”
by rhino
Thursday, December 06 2012, 9:14PM
“The photo says it all. 3 horses blocking a road!! WHAT if a vehicle driving at a perfectly legal speed comes around the BEND????????????????”
by rhino
Thursday, December 06 2012, 4:53PM
“Vicky.
Give way riding two abreast???????”