CONSERVATIONISTS are campaigning for drivers to slow down to cut the numbers of hedgehogs killed on a Bordon road, especially as they believe some “barbaric” individuals are killing the creatures on purpose.

Bordon campaigners Adam Carew, Phillip Davies and Charles Greenway are concerned about the number of hedgehog deaths in Hogmoor Road.

Town, county and district councillor Mr Carew, an ecologist, urged people to consider wildlife when they are behind the wheel.

“Hedgehogs are Britain’s oldest mammal but, despite being protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act, they are in massive decline,” he said.

“They face appalling mortality rates, especially on our roads. We are asking residents to stick to speed limits and take extra care to avoid hedgehogs, especially when driving at night.

“Hedgehogs have only a 50:50 chance of getting through their first few months of life. If they survive that, then they have a 50-per-cent chance of getting through their first year, and after that they can survive for up to four years in the wild.

“The statistics are shocking - hedgehog numbers have plummeted by 97 percent since the 1950s. Pesticides, secondary poisoning from slug pellets, habit loss and fragmentation, the increased use of strimmers and over-manicured and concreted gardens have all taken their toll - but so have road fatalities.

“When we designed our town’s masterplan the Hogmoor Inclosure and neighbouring Croft were designed as a north-south wildlife corridor. It has long been a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation. Wildlife - including hedgehogs, badgers and deer - have been crossing here for centuries.

“After consulting my fellow Conservative campaigners, Charles Greenway and Hogmoor councillor Phillip Davies, I spoke immediately to Hampshire (county council) highways as county councillor. The good news is that, although we do not do hedgehog signs per se, I am already in discussions to position wildlife signs in Hogmoor Road.”

Whitehill town councillor and former police officer Mr Davies thanked residents for raising concerns.

“We are appalled by the stomach-churning allegation about sick individuals purposely swerving to drive over hedgehogs as some twisted idea of fun,” he said. “If anyone has any information or witnesses such disgusting or cruel behaviour please photograph or make note of the registration number and let police know on 101. Barbaric behaviour like this has no place in our town.”