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Escape ladders and tunnels developed for endangered wildlife
CM Staff
A hedgehog exits a tunnel (Image courtesy of ACO Water Management)
A range of new products including guidance systems, tunnels and escape ladders has been developed to help keep endangered wildlife including hedgehogs safe amid new construction projects.
ACO Water Management’s new wildlife range aims to protect biodiversity with the projects, which also include wildlife kerbs, nesting boxes, conveyance channels and wildlife refuges.
ACO developed the range as a number of MPs, led by former transport secretary Chris Grayling, have made the case for hedgehogs to be added to Britain’s list of protected animals.
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A 2018 report suggested hedgehog numbers had halved since 2000 and fallen by roughly 97% on 1950s levels. Developers are being urged to search for the animals and take action to protect them, which is particularly important when it comes to roads given the acute threat they pose to hedgehogs.
Adam Cane, knowledge manager at ACO Water Management, said: “A crucial factor of construction is to minimise its environmental impact. Legislative changes such as the Environment Bill are creating a lot of buzz, and the onus is on developers to understand that the prosperity of natural systems will increase revenue.
“In addition to tunnels and refuges, developers must also consider ponding and fresh water environments, all while under pressure to deliver projects on time and to a high standard. That’s why, alongside the ACO wildlife product portfolio, we’re also running a free online webinar specifically tailored to cover the emerging biodiversity challenges.”
The webinar entitled Super Amphibian Highways will take place on Wednesday 10 March: https://app.livestorm.co/aco-technologies/super-amphibian-highways-2021. Looking at the various factors affecting biodiversity, the webinar outlines some of the technical solutions available to assist movement, increase genetic diversity, and achieve biodiversity net gains. It will also illustrate some best practice case studies, in a bid to support those tasked with meeting sustainability demands.
The January/February 2026 issue of Construction Management magazine is now available to read in digital format.
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