A CUMBRIAN firm is getting behind hedgehog conservation by becoming the first homebuilder in the country to create hedgehog highways.

Russell Armer Homes is working with Hedgehog Street – a partnership between the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) and the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) – by supporting its campaign for hedgehog conservation.

All of the company’s new homes have a 125mm x 125mm gap in their fencing, which allows hedgehogs to move from garden to garden.

Hedgehog says that more secure fences and walls are one of the main reasons why the hedgehog population is declining in Britain.

Creating corridors in fences will establish ‘habitat corridors’ for the hedgehogs, which will be too small for most pets to use but will allow safe passage for a little hedgehog.

The first homes to become part of a Hedgehog Highway, will be Russell Armer’s new homes at OverSands View, Grange-over-Sands and the Sheiling, Arkholme.

There will be 42 properties with hedgehog gaps at Grange-over-Sands and 14 properties on a Hedgehog Highway at Arkholme.

Russell Armer Homes’ managing director, Martyn Nicholson, says: “We are delighted to become Hedgehog Champions by creating what we believe to be Cumbria and Lancashire’s first Hedgehog Highways.

“Hedgehogs have been associated with the area for many years, thanks to Beatrix Potter’s Tales and it is important to look after their welfare.”