Badger Fencing

Badgers are notoriously strong, determined and extremely good diggers, making them difficult to exclude and requiring specialist badger mesh that is robust enough to keep them out.

THREE SHIRES PRINCIPALLY INSTALLS BADGER FENCING IN THE FOLLOWING SITUATIONS:

A. CONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

There are a number of reasons why the installation badger fencing on construction sites may be necessary; one of which is where a set is being disturbed or lost as a result of the development, and badgers require relocation under licence. This is where a new badger sett is created on-site and the existing sett is removed following a 21 day exclusion under a development licence from Natural England. This involves the installation of one-way gates and meshing of sett entrances but also often incorporates badger fencing which ring fences the exclusion zone.

As the name suggests badger fencing is specifically designed specifically to be impenetrable to badgers. Specialist badger wire mesh is usually attached to post and rail fence with the bottom of the mesh buried 300mm below ground vertically with a 300mm horizontal return to prevent badgers from digging underneath the fencing. In some circumstances the badger fencing can installed as a strained wire fence attached to strainer and intermediate posts. In the same way the badger wire must be buried vertically and horizontal under lap to prevent dig through.

In some instances electric badger fencing systems can be employed. This usually involves using highly conductive multi-strand galvanised line wires mounted on timber or plastic pegs. The success of this solution relies on the full charge being maintained along the length of the fence and requires the badger fencing line to be clear of vegetation or other obstructions which could earth the charge. The use of nylon and wire tapes or ropes should be avoided in badger exclusion as these don’t provide adequate conductivity over longer distances.

It is critical to the project that the exclusion is a success and that badgers do not breach the fencing within the 21 day period. Our expertise and experience of many sett closures makes TSL the contractor of choice for any badger exclusion.

B. HIGHWAYS SECTOR

Three Shires holds Highways Sector Scheme 2A and as such installs thousands metres of badger fencing on highways schemes every year.

Highway fencing is a very price driven sector. However, our investment in labour saving machinery over the last 10 years, combined with some of the most experienced installers in the country, means that our rates are extremely competitive for badger fencing installation and all highways specifications.

LEGISLATION

As many of our clients will testify, Badgers can be found in the most curious of places. In most cases developers are not prepared for the impact that finding a badger sett can have on a project and are often unsure of their responsibilities when they do.

The Protection of Badgers Act 1992 was introduced in recognition of the additional threats badgers face from illegal badger digging and baiting.

ALL THE FOLLOWING ARE CRIMINAL OFFENCES:

* To wilfully kill, injure, take, possess or cruelly ill-treat a badger:

* To attempt to do so; or

* To intentionally or recklessly interfere with a sett.