Hedgehogs and other small animals are set to receive greater protection on English roads thanks to rule changes announced today, making it easier for local authorities to install wildlife warning signs.
The existing hedgehog sign, which serves as a warning to drivers about the presence of these small creatures, will undergo an update to make it clearer and more easily understandable for motorists. Simultaneously, regulations surrounding small wildlife warning signs will be relaxed, simplifying the process for local authorities to erect such signs. This change aims to enhance the safeguarding of hedgehogs and other small animals.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is spearheading these alterations, ensuring that local authorities have the flexibility to place small wild animal warning signs where they are most needed without the need for individual applications to the DfT.
To mark this positive development, Transport Secretary Mark Harper visited Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire, where he met a variety of furry and spiky patients, many of whom were recovering from road accidents. During his visit, he observed a hedgehog undergoing surgery for a leg injury, assisted with hydrotherapy treatments, participated in animal weighing, and witnessed a hedgehog posing alongside the updated sign.
Transport Secretary, Mark Harper, stated, “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.”
The small animal warning sign, featuring an image of a hedgehog, was initially introduced in 2019. Beyond simplifying the installation process, the government has revamped the design by incorporating white quills on the hedgehog’s back. This alteration enhances visibility from a distance for all road users, promoting road safety.
Moreover, these changes aim to safeguard critical crossing routes for hedgehogs and other small animals, particularly on rural roads. Over the past two decades, hedgehog populations in rural areas have declined significantly, with traffic-related incidents being a major contributor to this decline.
Colin Stocker, Chief Executive Officer at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, expressed his delight at welcoming Mark Harper to the hospital, highlighting the policy change’s potential to make it easier to erect small animal road signs. He emphasized the importance of making motorists more aware of the presence of wildlife and encouraging them to exercise caution while driving, which ultimately benefits British wildlife.
Today’s announcement streamlines bureaucratic processes for local authorities, enabling them to allocate their resources more efficiently to serve their communities. This development aligns with recent commitments to enhance conditions for motorists across the UK as part of the Plan for drivers.
The Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital, founded by Les and Sue Stoker in 1978, serves as a refuge for injured animals in need of treatment and rehabilitation.
