SECURITY fences are to be built near a busy junction - to stop otters getting on to the road.But a farmer has reacted with disbelief at the plans, saying it is a waste of money and he had never seen an otter in the area.
SECURITY fences are to be built near a busy junction - to stop otters getting on to the road.
But a farmer has reacted with disbelief at the plans, saying it is a waste of money and he had never seen an otter in the area.
A Leicestershire firm is to install the 50m long fencing alongside a stretch of the A12 and A14 around the Copdock Interchange on the outskirts of Ipswich, either side of the tunnels that pass under the two roads and above the carriageways next month.
But Harry Brown, whose Hall Farm grounds are required as an access path for the company to dig for the fencing said: “It seems ridiculous to me. I have never seen an otter in ten years of farming this area and I do not know anybody who has ever seen one crossing the road.”
James Baker, manager of the Greenways Project, one of the partners involved, insisted there is evidence of the animals using the area.
He said they do not like swimming under the roads through the wet tunnels and tend to cross over the dangerous carriageways.
A Highways Agency said they are committed to enhancing and protecting biodiversity near our road network, and that the area was identified as a potential high risk site for otters crossing the A12 and A14.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here