§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what assessment has been made of the effect of road development on(a) otter and (b) badger populations; and what record of road mortality is kept for these species.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordAn assessment of the overall impact on these species and other wildlife is undertaken at the planning stage of road development and mitigating measures, for example fencing and tunnels, installed where appropriate and practicable. There are no records kept of species killed on roads, but it is estimated that some 47,000 badgers die each year from road accidents. This rate of loss is not considered to affect the conservation status of the species.
§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what studies have been undertaken to identify the impact of road noise on(a) wildlife breeding success and (b) breeding distribution.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordNone. However, I am advised by English Nature that during 1995–96 work is likely to be commissioned to review indirect effects such as noise and lighting.