Drivers urged to slow down after badger deaths in Hamilton and Motherwell

Feb 25 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

Calls to put the brakes on speeding drivers after badger is killed on road between Hamilton and Motherwell

AN animal lover has urged speeding drivers to slow down after a badger was killed on a busy road between Hamilton and Motherwell.

Graham Hogg has demand urgent action to slash the number of wildlife killed on the Hamilton to Motherwell Road.

The 50-year-old hit out at motorists who drive too fast between the Hamilton cinema roundabout and the traffic lights outside Strathclyde Country Park.

He raised concerns after a badger was knocked down on the busy carriageway last Thursday evening.

Graham is disgusted by the number of deer, badgers and foxes killed on the road.

He found the dead badger last Thursday between 9 and 9.30pm.

Graham, a volunteer for Scottish Wildlife Trust, contacted the Scottish Badger Association who removed the animal after he placed it on a grass verge.

Graham, of Hillside Terrace, said: “I wish something could be done about the number of wildlife being killed on this road, especially by boy racers.

“Drivers who kill a badger by knocking them down are breaking the law if they don’t inform police about the accident.

“I want to raise awareness of the problem and I urge motorists to slow down in the area.”

Although the road is the responsibility of Amey, North Lanarkshire Council have urged drivers to be aware of wildlife roaming on to the road and reduce their speed.

John Turnbull, countryside and landscape business manager with the council, said: “Drivers on this stretch of road should be aware that part of it runs alongside Strathclyde Country Park, which is home to various species including deer, badgers and foxes.

“These animals may occasionally stray onto the road unexpectedly.

“Anyone using this road would be well advised to maintain a sensible speed so they can brake or take safe evasive action if an animal runs into the path of their vehicle.”

An Amey spokeswoman said: “It is important for us to establish site-based evidence regarding wildlife road kill casualties in order to determine the most appropriate areas on which to focus attention.

“In this way we can use our limited resources more wisely to help devise and implement targeted mitigation proposals.

“We are actively collating data regarding road kill casualties for a number of different species across the south west network.

“This will be recorded on an environmental database and will be used to inform future species mitigation designs.”