Barriers to stop illegal shortcut and save hedgehogs

Metal barriers have been installed to protect hedgehogs from being killed by motorists who were using an illegal shortcut in a Gloucestershire village.

Crafty delivery van drivers started driving over the patch of grass at the bottom of Crifty Craft Lane in Churchdown to get to the main road Barrow Hill during the coronavirus lockdown.

And on one occasion a hedgehog which was fed by local residents was run over and killed by one of the vehicles.

Division county councillor Ben Evans (LD, Churchdown) said he was alerted to delivery vans illegally crossing the patch of land which started during lockdown.

He said: “Working with our local Gloucestershire County Council highways officer, I managed to get metal barriers put in across the piece of land. This has resolved the issue, a simple solution to protect wildlife in the village.”

David Pritchett, local highways manager, said the council installed the metal barriers to prevent drivers from using the unauthorised shortcut. He said:

“Naturally we were concerned to hear that hedgehogs were being killed by vehicles illegally driving over the grass at the bottom of Crifty Craft Lane to cut onto the main road.

“Our crews have now installed metal barriers at the bottom of the road to prevent drivers from using the shortcut. It’s pleasing to see that this area of Churchdown continues to be rich in wildlife.”

Residents are extremely grateful and say the hedgehogs can now roam happily and safely.

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Gloucester News Centre – http://gloucesternewscentre.co.uk