CALLS for a Green Lane in Trinity have been renewed after two hedgehogs were found dead on roads near a farm – but the parish’s new Constable says she will not be pushing for one while diversions continue to affect traffic.
Sustainable farmer Nikki de Gruchy, founder of La Croix Regeneration Centre, said the latest hedgehog was found on Rue Becq – a road she believes would be ideally suited to becoming a Green Lane.
“Trinity is one of just two parishes in Jersey that does not have any Green Lanes despite being one of the most rural,” she said.
Mrs de Gruchy said it was the second hedgehog she had found killed on lanes around the farm in less than a month.
“It’s all the emotions at the same time,” she said. “It’s really upsetting and frustrating in equal measure because it can be avoided.”
She said Rue Becq, where she owns fields on both sides of the road, was “the quintessential absolute perfect Green Lane”.
“It’s used a lot by dog walkers, by cyclists, by runners, an awful lot,” she said. “There could be a lovely little network that links up with bridle paths and everything.”
Mrs de Gruchy, a former Pride of Jersey Environmentalist of the Year finalist, said she regularly saw hedgehogs on the farm, where they come to drink and were known to breed. She added that she had also found animals injured by strimmers, with many not surviving after being taken to the Hedgehog Preservation Group.
Hedgehogs are protected under the Wildlife (Jersey) Law 2021.
However, newly-elected Trinity Constable Andy Howell said that, while she was “very keen on looking after wildlife”, she would not be pursuing a Green Lane designation at present.
“We are having such a problem with the roads because of the diversions,” she said. “I think I won’t be doing anything at the moment until things have settled down and finished.”
Mrs de Gruchy, however, said the diversions were “completely irrelevant” to beginning the process, arguing that any change would take years rather than months.
A Government spokesperson said changes to Green Lane designations were typically developed with Parish Roads Committees and informed by consultation with parishioners.
Both Mrs de Gruchy and Constable Howell urged motorists to drive carefully, particularly around pedestrians, cyclists, families with prams and wildlife.
