The Lincolnshire coastal town at war with badgers as workers face race against time to fix road

People living in a Lincolnshire coastal town where badgers have wrecked a road and footpath say something needs to be done about the mischievous mammals. A 48-hour road closure was planned for Seaholme Road in Mablethorpe after tunnelling badgers caused sections of the structure to collapse.

Specialists then uncovered a second area where the badgers have been digging making things a lot more complicated for Lincolnshire County Council's highways department. Workers have been told by Natural England that they must finish the work by the end of November, when badger mating season begins, or the road could be out of use until July 2025.

Councillor Richard Davies, executive member for highways, said: "Whilst the badgers are being very well accommodated, Mablethorpe road users are having to bear the brunt of some serious disruption in their area. It feels very unfair."

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One nearby resident, Catherine Darlaston, says the road closure has caused many traffic issues in the area. She said: "It's an inconvenience when I want to go to Skegness or what have you, or when the top road is closed as well.

"It's caused massive disruption. I agree that the badgers were here first but surely they can be rehomed, then it's a solution for everyone.

"They've had three-way traffic lights up for a long time and that got us through the summer when the bulk of the tourists were here. It's only a small road and it is difficult but these things can't be helped.

"Who wants to drive their car into a pothole? That's the alternative, so you've got to be pragmatic about it. People are doing their best to get it sorted but we shouldn't be brutal enough to just chuck the poor animals out."

Because of the second set of tunnels the county council will now not be able to lift the road closure and return to temporary traffic lights as first planned. Seaholme Road will remain under full closure while they are dealt with and the road reinstatement works are carried out.

Des Barnett has lived in the town for nearly three years and the works are taking place right outside his home. He said: "I have to admit I've never seen a badger but other residents say they have. We had the first lot of traffic lights up on August 4.

"The traffic lights were more inconvenient than it is now. We're allowed in and out through the barriers and in the evening we can move them ourselves as long as we put them back.

"Having said that, something's got to be done with the badgers, I believe. There's no natural predator for badgers so I don't know what the answer is. I don't want anything untoward to happen to them but I'm a believer that they've got to be controlled in certain areas.

"The road collapsed and was like a little sinkhole. It's a dangerous corner so the work had to be done."

Highways crews hope to have the road open again by November 20, but unforeseen circumstances could push this back further toward the end of the month. One couple, who wished to be named as Mr and Mrs Martin, have lived in the town for 17 years. Mrs Martin said: "The three-way traffic lights were up for a couple of months and nothing was going on. It might have been an idea to not have three way lights up all that time for nothing.

"There have been badgers there for years. It's causing a lot of traffic issues but it's alright for walking. They cull badgers in lots of places. It's nice to see a badger walking up the road but I think they're a bit troublesome."

Mr Martin admitted he was on the badgers' side of the argument. He said: "In six months time you'll have forgotten all about it. I'm always pleased to see animals around."

His wife added: "It's been very disruptive. I'm torn because I like wildlife but it's caused a lot of issues."

Highways boss Councillor Davies said: "The frustration with getting these badger works sorted is growing. We are working as hard as we can to restore this road so that the people of Mablethorpe can get on with their daily lives in the way they expect."

He added: "Because everything has to be completed by the end of the month, we can’t try a temporary traffic light fix to ease traffic flow because if it doesn’t work and the badgers’ damage can’t be fixed quickly enough, then there is the risk that the road won’t be usable until next July.

"We can’t have that for Mablethorpe. It’s not the road user’s fault that this has happened and we need to get this issue sorted out, even with all the time restrictions that Natural England have placed on the works.

"I want to express our thanks to everyone affected by this so far. Your patience and understanding of what we’re trying to do in order to have the road usable and open again for December is very much appreciated. We will get this work completed as quickly as we possibly can."