PAVEMENTS in Leigh will remain shut until further notice due to "concerns for public safety" after a badgers sett has left the ground unstable.

Southend Council says pavement in Cliff Parade, between Leigh Hill and Avenue Road, and a small section between the junction of Cliff Parade, Sea Reach and Cliff Parade in Leigh will be closed until further notice.

The council says checks on the roads and pavements found concerns for public safety due to the ongoing deterioration caused lby the badger sett underneath.

Get more great stories like this delivered to your inbox every day by signing up to our morning newsletter - don't miss out!

 

 

Steven Wakefield, cabinet member for highways, transport and parking, said: “Public safety is our number one priority and until we can make safe and stabilise the road and pavement, the closure will have to remain in place.

“The council has not been able to carry out the necessary repairs to the road and pavement because the area is on top of a badger sett, and whilst we have been working with Natural England for two years to try and move the sett, the badgers have shown a great reluctance to move on.

READ MORE >>>

“From March we can apply for a permit with Natural England and if approved, we are confident that we have a plan that will see the badgers safely moved on and work to repair the road and pavement start.

“We apologise for any inconvenience; updates will be provided on the council’s social media accounts.”

The badgers have undercut the cliff which has caused instability and the council has not been able to carry out repairs because approval is required from Natural England to close the sett, which is not currently possible due to badger hibernation.

The southside pavement closure is now in place on Cliff Parade from its junction with Avenue Road to its junction with Leigh Hill and pedestrians are asked to use the path on the northern side of Cliff Parade, which will remain open.

The lane closure will be in place from Monday 13 February. Cliff Parade will be under traffic signal control for the duration of the closure. Access in and out of Seaview Road onto Cliff Parade will also be suspended to ease congestion.

Any other planned highway works in the area will be altered to accommodate for the lane closure and to minimise disruption.