For badgers living in undergrowth near the M6 in
Coventry it was a case of location, location, location when we
started work on a major motorway upgrade.
The species is protected by law, and the project team needed to
ensure the animals could be relocated to new accommodation so
that work could start on the vital upgrade, which will improve
journeys for the 120,000 drivers who use this busy route every
day.
So specialist teams set about designing and building a new badger
sett from scratch. The result was a new home spanning 10 metres
and comprising four nesting chambers and connecting pipes. The
new sett is dug into the ground to replicate, as far as possible,
typical excavations associated with badgers.
Smart motorway project sponsor said:
It’s really important that as we work to improve people’s
journeys, we also protect the environment. We knew from our
extensive surveys that we had a family of badgers living next
to the motorway and, as a protected species, we needed to
relocate the animals with as little distress as possible.
As with any scheme, we worked closely with specialist
consultants to build the animals a new habitat that would
replicate their former surroundings. We do everything we can to
ensure the local environment is protected throughout the
programme of works. The badgers have settled in well to their
new home and we’re pleased to be able to play a part in
protecting wildlife near the major road network of England.
The Road Investment Strategy (RIS) states that by 2020 Highways
England must reduce the rate of loss of biodiversity, and by 2040
it must deliver a net gain in biodiversity.
The RIS also includes a ring-fenced environment fund of some £300
million to cover the period of 2015 to 2020, which includes funds
for biodiversity projects.
Elsewhere, a new otter fence has been installed on the A64 in
Yorkshire to prevent the animals crossing the road which could
result in incidents and delays.
We’ve also joined forces with Stover Country Park and Devon
County Council to deliver a giant reedbed filter system which
will help to keep water clean at Stover Lake and provide valuable
habitat for wildlife. The sustainable scheme, also supported by
Natural England, is designed to capture and filter water run-off
from the A38, nearby industrial sites and farmland before it
enters the lake.
Work on the M6 motorway upgrade is set to be completed by March
2020.
