A Thornbury housebuilder is installing ‘hedgehog highways’ at one of its new developments.

A new policy announced by Barratt David Wilson Homes will see hundreds of runs and routes through new housing developments, including at Morton Meadows in Thornbury.

A hedgehog highway is a 13cm X13cm gap built into the bottom of a garden fence, wall or hedge, which enables hedgehogs to easily move between gardens.

Hedgehogs can travel up to 2km on a single night looking for food and a suitable mate so room to roam is crucial.

Louise Ware, sales director for Barratt David Wilson Homes South West, said: “We are passionate about protecting local wildlife and encouraging biodiversity on all of our sites and these hedgehog highways are a simple but very effective way we can make our gardens hedgehog-friendly.

“Along with our work with the RSPB we are always looking for ways we can ensure nature has a home on our developments.”

Helen Nyul, Barratt Developments’ biodiversity manager added: “We have been thinking creatively about how to prioritise wildlife and these hedgehog highways will make a big difference giving hedgehogs more space to roam and find food.

“We encourage all new homeowners to keep these holes open to allow hedgehogs to pass through, as well as other animals like frogs and toads that may choose to make their home in your garden.”

Hedgehog Awareness Week took place earlier this month. It is run by the Hedgehog Preservation Society to help raise the profile of Britain’s only spiny mammal.

Now officially registered as vulnerable to extinction, hedgehog numbers have fallen by 30 per cent in the UK in the past 10 years and it is thought that there are fewer than one million left nationally.

To help reverse this decline, this year the charity is asking people to create their very own hedgehog haven in their gardens with hedgehog highways being just one way gardeners can help.

To find out more about Hedgehog Awareness Week go to britishhedgehogs.org.uk/hedgehog-awareness-week-2021.