Hedgehog sized holes at regular intervals have been cut along the bottom of boundary fencing to create ‘Hedgehog Highways’ which allow the animals to move freely back-and-forth and escape should they become trapped. 

Railway embankments are a hedgehog haven, with a rich mix of trees and vegetation which provide a safe and food-rich area for hedgehogs to forage and feed.

A concerned local resident contacted Network Rail earlier in the year after noticing that hedgehogs were becoming trapped under a boundary fence at Lanark station.

A team from Network Rail, which included one of our in-house ecologists, visited the site to better understand the situation and devise ways to stop the prickly little creatures from getting trapped. 

The simple action of making a suitable hole in the fencing has helped the hedgehogs move safely between their foraging habitats and their nests.

To raise awareness of the plight of the little creatures, the Hedgehog Highway has been marked with some hedgehog shaped signs and an information board has been installed to highlight the reasons behind the work and raise the profile of hedgehogs in general.

Following this successful trial, Network Rail intends to add a small hedgehog friendly hole at the base of each back garden fence renewal carried out. It is hoped that overtime, this will help reverse the current decline in hedgehog numbers so that they will again become a common sight in gardens and other urban green spaces.

Ashleigh Wylie, Network Rail Scotland ecologist, commented: “We really appreciate members of the public taking the time to bring things to our attention – particularly where animals may be at risk and we can do something to help – as with the hedgehogs at Lanark station.

“Network Rail is committed to our environment and we manage our lineside with safety, performance and biodiversity in mind. As part of a team of ecologists, we get to offer advice on protected species and habitat management to colleagues working on the railway.  

“It is great when we see this advice transformed into practical action with the solutions we have advised or developed implemented and working to protect creatures on or around the railway.

“We are hopeful that when the Hedgehogs waken from their hibernation, the Hedgehog Highway will provide a safe way for them to move freely to and from the railway.”

The initiative has been supported by HogWatch Scotland whic monitors hedgehog numbers, raise awareness and provide courses to educate and raise awareness in schools and across communities of the plight of the little creatures.

Eilidh Call, senior project officer, HogWatch Scotland, added: “Hedgehog numbers are in decline and part of the reason is garden fences and walls reduce the amount of land available to them.

“By making life a little easier for them by removing the barriers within our control –making holes in or under our garden fences and walls for them to pass through – we are helping them to feed and to find a mate. Quite directly helping to address the decline in numbers.

“We are delighted that Network Rail Scotland will be creating Hedgehog Highways on fencing renewals going forward as this will help these much-loved little creatures access food-rich environments. It will really make a positive contribution to protecting these little creatures for future generations to love.”