Anger at year-long Whitchurch road closure . . . because of BADGERS

People are unhappy with the extra miles they will have to travel, as well as the general inconvenience caused by the closure of Black Park Road.

Shropshire Council officials said the road is currently unsuitable for traffic due to the damage caused by the animals.

Repair work has started and is scheduled to last until September 2018 according to the roadworks.org website.

A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "There are businesses, farms and people on this road. To close it for so long to sort the problem out is completely unacceptable.

"Personally, I go up and down this road four to six times a day for things like dropping the kids off at school. I am going to have to travel an extra 40 miles.

"I am not the only one not happy about this, there are a lot of people who are concerned by the timescale of the works."

Victoria Doran, Shropshire Council’s highways manager for north east, said it was not possible to say how long the road will remain closed.

She said: “Black Park Road has suffered extensive damage caused by badgers and is unsuitable for traffic.

“Significant work will be required, under licence, in order to reopen the road.

“Due to the complex nature of the work and substantial budget implications, it is not possible to specify how long the road will remain closed at this time, but it is likely to be long-term. A diversion is in place.”

Burrowing badgers have previously damaged other roads in the country.

One road near the south Shropshire border was closed after a large hole appeared in the carriageway.

Badgers and their setts are protected by law.

A licence needs to be applied for to interfere with a sett from Natural England.

Applicants would need to show they have tried everything else possible to avoid affecting badgers.