“We’ve been posting bin stickers and blasting Facebook pages, pushing people to slow down on the estate. Last year, seven people were slain on the estate, and this year there are only two, so things are moving slowly.

“But on the main road we have a major problem – people are going too fast and are not aware.” Hedgehogs hibernate in the winter and are busy foraging for food and mating from March to November, therefore mortality are greater during these months.

The spiky creatures are especially susceptible when the clocks turn back since their foraging hours coincide with peak traffic times.

“It is devastating that so many hedgehogs are being injured and killed as a result of reckless driving,” remarked local Gabi Barrett.

“The poor creatures don’t stand a chance.” Amanda founded Hedgehogs of Cowfold, and the organisation has been pressing the municipality to install hedgehog crossing signs on all important roads leading into the community.

West Sussex County Council has submitted Amanda an application for a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), but she needs parish council approval. “They’re red listed and in danger of extinction,” Amanda remarked.

“They’ll be extinct in 30 years, and the following generation won’t know what hedgehogs are. “The council is proposing to construct around Cowfold, which will result in increased traffic through the village.

“It’s not just hedgehogs, deer, foxes and badgers are getting run over willy nilly – it’s awful.” Amanda, a driving teacher, claims she sees hedgehogs on the road “all the time”.

“I’m constantly trying to teach students to be aware of animals,” she told me. “It’s so important that drivers are aware of rural hazards.”

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