Central London’s last hedgehog population is under threat (Picture: Getty)

The last hedgehog population in central London is under threat after proposals to use one of their habitats as a lorry park, experts claim.

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Plans to use London Zoo’s car park to regulate the flow of HGVs into the main construction site for HS2 at Euston have come under fire from campaigners.

The Zoological Society of London will make a final attempt to force the high-speed rail firm to seek an alternative location for the site at a House of Lords Select Committee next week.

The car park’s shrubbery and nearby Regent’s Park are home to what is thought to be the last hedgehog population in central London.




But experts fear the use of the lorry park and construction trucks for up to 20 years could have a big impact on the key habitat for the species.

Hedgehogs live in the car park at London Zoo (Picture: Getty)

David Field, Zoological Director of ZSL, said: ‘It may seem strange that we’re seeking protection for a car park, but this is an example of the increasingly desperate reality for urban wildlife.

‘Forced by human pressures to find sanctuary in the unlikeliest of places, it is our duty to protect the remaining refuges of these creatures.

‘While HS2 have admitted that their proposed use of the car park as a lorry-holding site will pose a risk to the hedgehogs, they have not accepted our advice that no mitigation measures will be enough to protect them from that risk.

‘With hedgehog surveys still in their infant stages, we’ve only just begun to learn more about these creatures living in the Park, and we need more surveys, more information and more time to understand how we can best protect them.

‘We can’t do this if the car park becomes a 24/7 hub for construction.’

An HS2 spokesman said: ‘As part of our preparation for the start of construction, we need to identify potential lorry holding sites to help manage the flow of HGVs into the Euston site and minimise disruption on local roads.

‘The London Zoo car park is our preferred option. We will continue to work with Camden Council, TfL and our future contractors on our traffic management measures.

‘The protection of all wildlife, including hedgehogs, will be a key consideration in the design of the holding area and for any replacement parking that may be required.’

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