Gates To Move Badgers

MULTIPLE ‘one-way gates’ are set to be installed on Leigh cliffs to clear badgers whose burrowing has been the cause of structural instability and road safety issues.

A £2 million scheme to prevent Cliff Parade in Leigh from collapsing has necessitated a traffic light control system whilst a part of the road was closed off.

Southend City Council is now applying for a new license from Natural England to install a series of one-way gates at the entrances to the badger sett, enabling the animals to exit the area, but blocking them from re-entering.

This follows delays from’human intervention’, which saw previous equipment – designed to stop badgers returning to their setts – tampered with.

Labour councillor responsible for the environment, Lydia Hyde, has  said that this new licence is the most effective and least invasive option, but warned that further future tampering would force the Council to take ‘more invasive measures’.

Signs detailing the plan will be put clearly around the gates, which are expected to be in place for 21 days.

Coun Hyde said: “Our concern is any human intervention, which caused issues last year.

“So if that happens, we will need to look at invasive and forceful displacement.

“We don’t want that, Natural England don’t want that, and this is a nice way for the badgers to be moved along.

“Once they go through the gates, we believe they will relocate to a different existing sett lower down the slope. If they move there, the situation will be fine.”

A Council spokesman added: “Subject to obtaining the licence, we will take the necessary steps to ensure the badgers have vacated the area.

“Once we confirm that the badgers have moved, we can commence work to establish the extent of the repairs required.

“The footway and road will then be repaired and re-opened.”

Picture: The area of Leigh Cliffs that is affected. PHOTO: Southend Council.

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