Signs are good for hedgehogs
COUNTY GIVEN AUTHORITY FOR ‘SMALL WILD ANIMAL’ WARNINGS TO BE PLACED IF NEEDED
HEDGEHOG warning signs could be installed in Hampshire if evidence shows they are required to protect the species.
In December, the Department for Transport (DfT) introduced new changes to ensure local authorities can place “small wild animal” warning signs where they are needed rather than applying to DfT on a case-by-case basis.
Across England, hedgehogs are registered as vulnerable to extinction and are on the red list for Britain’s mammals. Statistics show hedgehog populations have fallen by 30% since 2000, with rural areas seeing a drop of 75%.
Transport secretary Mark Harper said: “These common-sense changes will lead to more small animal signs across the country, cutting down on bureaucracy to help protect both drivers and small animals, improving safety on our roads and making sure fewer casualties are checked into wildlife hospitals, like these.”
Currently, there are no hedgehog warning signs on Hampshire’s roads. However, following the changes, the county council could introduce the signs in areas where evidence for the need is justified.
A spokesman for Hampshire County Council, said: “We already work closely with a number of local wildlife and community groups to support their efforts in preserving different animal species through the erection of various forms of wildlife signage.
“This includes temporary signs for migrating species, such as toads in certain parts of the county, as well as permanent road signs to help safeguard larger wildlife, such as horses in the New Forest.
“The hedgehog sign is one of a number of signs provided by the Department for Transport for local authorities to use.
“To date, we do not have any in situ, but would consider requests for their provision should evidence show that they are justified.”
In 2019, Hampshire was revealed to be the top county location for spotting hedgehogs, according to Hedgehog Street’s BIG Hedgehog Map. The live map shows that in the News & Mail area 19 hedgehogs have been sighted in Aldershot, 60 in Farnborough, 41 in Camberley and 17 in Fleet and Church Crookham.
Visit https://bighedgehogmap. org/ for more about the map.