A ROAD closure in north Herefordshire could remain in place until April as it is thought breeding badgers are living below.

The closure has been in place on the C1039 Lugg Green Road between Bicton and Kingsland since early December due to a sinkhole.

The sign-posted diversion adds more than four miles onto the journey between the two villages, and concerns have been raised over the impact on farmers and other local residents.

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson said works to repair the road have been delayed due to the presence of badgers, which are a protected species.

Without a licence, any work that may disturb badgers or setts is prohibited unless a licence is granted by Natural England.

Caroline Williams is one of the residents affected by the road closure, but said Herefordshire Council has been asked repeatedly to re-open the road to vehicles.

“Because my dad is disabled, this road closure is really inconvenient as sometimes I have to get to him quickly and now it will take me at least 10 or more minutes depending on traffic down our lanes,” she said.

“No emergency services can use it, meaning that they have to do a detour to a few surrounding places which puts extra time on their response time.

“I know for a fact that people, especially farmers that have stock on the Aston side of the road closure, have been contacting the council as they too have to do a detour.”

Pedestrians can now use the road, but Bircher councillor Sebastian Bowen said he is trying to get better signage advising of the closure.

There are badgers under the road and there’s a possible weakness there,” he added.

“It could be closed until the middle of April.

“But it’s the law basically, and we can’t do much about it.”