It is still unclear when trains will run again on the track between Den Bosch and Boxtel. This is what a spokesman for ProRail says. “It is difficult to give a prognosis at the moment, but we hope to get an exemption very soon to move the badgers.” The animals have undercut the track at Esch. As a result, the rails can sag and safety is at stake.
The consequences of the temporary train stop on the route are major, ProRail spokesperson Joke van der Cruysen immediately admits. “It means that 12 intercity trains per hour cannot run now. And then we also have all the freight transport that has to be diverted.”
A painful conclusion, especially when you consider that the presence of the badgers had been known to the railway manager for over a year. Why have no measures been taken since then? “After we discovered the burrows, we started research. What’s in it? How big is it? Especially with such a protected species as the badger, you have to know exactly what’s going on before you can apply for a permit to move them.”
“Last week we found out that the badgers multiplied very quickly.”
ProRail had not expected that the animal family is now suddenly causing such a big problem. “Last week we found out that the badgers multiplied very quickly. And that the castle was therefore also growing so quickly. As a result, there was suddenly an acute danger of the rails subsiding.”
What makes the matter even more disturbing is that more places in the province are popular with the animals. “Apparently badgers like the grass areas in Brabant. At the moment there are still four places where a family is located near the railway.” With all the possible risks that entails. “We very much hope that it does not go in the same direction as here. That is why we are now keeping a closer eye on those places. But with this in mind, we have to take everything into account.”
“We are going to mow the grass, in the hope that it will become less attractive to the badgers.”
In the coming days, we will have to wait until ProRail receives the much-needed exemption to move the badgers. Nevertheless, some preparatory work is already being done in the meantime. “For example, we will mow the grass from Thursday, in the hope that it will then become less attractive for the badgers. And we will place valves on the corridors they have made. They can still go outside, but not back in. So they might leave on their own.”
But even if there is a green light to remove the animals, the problem will not be solved overnight. “Then we first have to dig the track from the outside, so that we can close the holes underneath. We then place a fence there, so that the badgers don’t come back. Finally, we have to repair the track. That takes some time. “
It is therefore highly questionable whether the trains will run again next Wednesday. “I understand very well that everyone wants to know, but I really don’t dare to give a prognosis yet.”