Natural England

A novel solution to a badger problem has helped keep a multi-million pound water project right on track.

A team of contractors from J N Bentley, working in Glaston, Rutland, found themselves in a tricky situation when a badger sett was discovered right in the middle of the planned route for a new drinking water pipeline they were building for Anglian Water.

Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to wilfully kill, injure or take badgers, or to interfere with a badger sett.

The waterworks team were well aware of the need to consider protected species, and had instructed ecologists from Mott MacDonald’s to provide ecology advice in relation to the scheme. Their surveys resulted in an alteration to the original route of the pipeline after protected species, including great crested newts and badgers, were found.

So when work on the approved route looked like it could be blocked by the presence of a new badger sett, the team turned to Natural England for advice.

Geoff Sansome, Natural England’s East Midlands Regional Director, said: “Badgers can cause damage to property and their setts can sometimes coincide with areas planned for development. In these cases we can issue licences to permit actions that allow interference to setts but at the same time protect the badgers. This generally involves the installation of one-way gates at the entrances to the setts so that badgers can leave the sett, but can’t get back in. Following successful exclusion of badgers, setts can then be destoyed. Licences are rarely issued during the breeding season (between December and the end of June), as setts may contain badger cubs during these months who would not be able to get out through one-way gates.

“To avoid any unnecessary delays and risk to south east water supplies, Natural England worked with Anglian Water’s consultant ecologists and contractors to come up with a solution.”

That solution took the form of issuing a licence to enable the use of a small, motorised video camera, usually used to inspect sewage pipework. Previous attempts to use such cameras in setts had not proved successful as the cameras quickly became stuck in the twisting tunnels of setts.

A team of people from Anglian Water’s contractors J N Bentley, consultants Mott MacDonald, and a Wildlife Management Adviser from Natural England, were able to view its movements and see live footage on a display screen.

The good news for the assembled team, was that the sett proved completely empty of badgers – either adults or cubs. With this evidence that no badgers would be harmed, the Natural England licence enabled the sett to be destroyed and the construction project could continue on schedule.

Paul Cantwell, Wildlife Management Adviser explained: “This particular sett was quite small. It had only one entrance, two relatively short lengths of tunnel, and no chambers, so the camera was able to move around the whole sett without too much difficulty. Most setts we come across are bigger and more complex, with more entrances, tunnels and chambers.”

Nick Evison, Project Manager at Anglian Water, said: “We were delighted with this solution to what could have been a very serious problem. We always take wildlife and environmental factors into consideration when planning and carrying out any work, and in this particular project we had already changed the original plans so as not to disturb protected species. It’s great news for everyone involved that we were able to work with Natural England to find a novel solution to our badger problem.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. Video footage and stills of the inside of the badger sett are available on request.

2. The full Latin name for the Eurasian badger is Meles meles.

3. Great Britain supports some of the highest densities of badgers in Europe, with over 30 per square kilometre in some areas. National surveys carried out in the 1980s and 1990s showed that the population increased by 77% over this period.

4. Badgers and their setts are protected under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, which makes it illegal to willfully kill, injure or take badgers or to interfere with a badger sett. Interference with a sett includes damaging or destroying it, obstructing access to it, causing a dog to enter it, or disturbing the badgers that are occupying it. Penalties for offences can involve heavy fines or a prison sentence, so it is important that anyone working in the countryside is aware of how to work within the legislation. However, there is provision in the legislation to allow action to be taken under licence.

5. Natural England works for people, places and nature to conserve and enhance biodiversity, landscapes and wildlife in rural, urban, coastal and marine areas. We conserve and enhance the natural environment for its intrinsic value, the wellbeing and enjoyment of people, and the economic prosperity it brings.

Issued on behalf of Natural England by Government News Network East Midlands. Media enquiries to Alex Marsland on 0115 971 2788 or Alexandra.marsland@gnn.gsi.gov.uk