Will foxes use the hedgehog highway?

Adult foxes generally too large (chest 18–22cm typical) — 13×13cm gap blocks adults. Fox cubs possible — risk lower than full open gap. Cats: small cats can squeeze through; most won't bother. Risk-benefit: highway saves hedgehogs vs minimal fox/cat access change.

Do I need my neighbour's permission?

If fence shared (party fence): yes — Party Wall etc Act 1996 doesn't strictly apply to fences but courtesy + good practice essential. Approach neighbour with Hedgehog Street leaflet — most agree, many add reciprocal gap. If fence is yours alone: install on your side without consent.

Should every garden fence have a highway?

Yes — single highway useless without network. Hedgehog Street campaign goal: 1km² of contiguous hedgehog-friendly gardens. Builderr policy: install hedgehog gap on every new garden wall/fence as standard scope; provide Hedgehog Street neighbour leaflet for client to share. Tiny cost + significant urban biodiversity contribution.

Hedgehog Highway London Garden 2026 | Builderr

What Is a Hedgehog Highway and Should I Add One in a London Garden Renovation?

Hedgehog highway is a 13×13cm gap at the base of a garden fence, wall or gate allowing hedgehogs to move freely between adjacent gardens — critical because hedgehogs forage across 1–2 hectares nightly, often 10+ gardens. Free DIY install or £18–£45 manufactured panel (Hedgehog Highway by Eco Bat, Wildlife World, AnimalArk). London hedgehog population declined 50%+ since 2000 — urban gardens key refuge. Coordinate with neighbour to make a usable corridor.

Why hedgehogs need highways

European Hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) UK Red List Vulnerable since 2020 — population declined 50%+ since 2000, 75% in rural areas. Urban populations relatively stable but declining slowly. Cause: habitat fragmentation (sealed fences/walls), road kills, intensive lawn care (pesticides eliminate prey), garden tidiness (no leaf piles for hibernation). Hedgehog forages 1–2km nightly across 10+ gardens — needs corridor. Single sealed garden = isolated hedgehog = no breeding + no food access = local extinction within 2 years. Highway = 13×13cm gap (hedgehog body size; too small for most cats + foxes) at base of fence/wall.

Install + spec

DIY: cut 13×13cm rectangle from base of timber fence panel (jigsaw or panel saw). Reinforce edges with treated batten if rotten. Free + 30 min. Manufactured panel: Wildlife World Hedgehog Highway (replacement fence kicker board with pre-cut hole, £35–£65); Eco Bat Hedgehog Highway Brick (drops into masonry wall during construction, £25–£45); Hedgehog Street brand (kit + signage). Brick wall: drop a hedgehog brick into base of new boundary wall; or saw out 2-brick section + line with corner brick to prevent collapse. Gate: leave 13cm gap below gate. Multiple highways across boundaries form network — coordinate with neighbours for effective corridor. London Wildlife Trust + Hedgehog Street campaign: free signage + neighbour-leaflet templates.

Supporting habitat package

Highway alone insufficient — couple with: wild corner (leaf pile + log pile for hibernation Sept–April), hedgehog house (£35–£125 — cardboard or timber, sheltered north-facing location), shallow water dish (refreshed daily summer; check pond has hedgehog escape ramp — most drowning deaths from steep-sided ponds), no slug pellets (metaldehyde + ferric phosphate both kill hedgehogs eating poisoned slugs), no strimmer in long grass without check (hedgehogs killed by garden tools more than cars), 24hr food bowl (cat food chicken-based, mealworms toxic — avoid). Renovation opportunity: integrate hedgehog brick into new garden wall construction, design fence with hedgehog gaps from outset, create wild corner during landscape design. Cost added to landscape package: £125–£385 typical. Significant biodiversity + planning benefit — BNG-supporting.