BADGERS living along the A556 have started using a new sett that has been constructed as part of the works on the Highways England Knutsford to Bowdon Improvements.

The new artificial badger home, part of the environmental mitigation works, has  a network of nine chambers with interconnecting tunnels for the critters to call home.

The badgers' new sett has been designed and built to mimic features that animals would implement in their own creations.

Following an eight month establishment period since its construction in April, Badgers have now been enticed into  their new home using Peanut Butter, a Badger favourite.

Liam Fahey, Capita’s Environmental Co-ordinator for the A556 Scheme said: “We have been monitoring the area using an infrared motion sensor video camera.

"It is very rewarding to see that the sett has been a success and is being used by the local badger clan.”

The project has also erected a number of bat boxes in suitable habitats around the scheme. These have been deemed successful and there is evidence of roosting bats in them, thanks to monitoring surveys.

Construction of the new road started in November 2014 and is due for completion in 2017.