ALLEN CONCRETE PLANS FOR WILDLIFE
Allen Concrete has seen a significant increase in demand in recent years!
Ross Nivison, General Manager for Allen Concrete, commented: “We are one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of concrete fencing posts and gravel boards and operate from two sites in Surrey and Northamptonshire. We are a trade supplier dealing with stockists and builders’ merchants throughout the UK.
“Concrete has not been immune to increased prices but perhaps less severely than timber. Coupled with the advantages of providing a longer-term solution, demand for concrete fence posts has become an even more attractive option. During this period, we have worked hard to maximise our production and keep up with demand. We now have good stocks available on our full range of products, ready for immediate despatch.
“Concerns over preservation treatments has also fuelled interest as concrete posts will not rot, twist or warp and consequently have a longer lifespan with zero maintenance requirements.
“This year Allen Concrete launched wildlife-friendly gravel boards which have proved popular with their customers. Building merchants and trade stockists now find that hedgehog-friendly gravel boards are increasingly in demand and Housing Associations are encouraging developers and builders to continually make improvements with responsible and ethical construction and development.
“Developers of multiple properties are also driving the demand and are keen to provide access for wildlife by installing appropriate wildlife-friendly gravel boards. By using them they are helping to create a network of gardens, allowing hedgehogs to roam freely.
“The gravel boards are robust and practical, just like standard gravel boards, but with a small ground-level hole for wildlife. In Britain, the hedgehog population has markedly declined to the extent that they are now a vulnerable species. Since 2000, hedgehog numbers have dropped by 30-50%. Our spiky friends are struggling and need us to work together to help them!
“With extensive changes to land use and the explosion in property development, hedgehogs and other small native British wildlife find it hard to live as they should. We want to keep hedgehogs coming into our gardens. They eat pests such as slugs, and they are a much-loved part of our native landscape.
“It is possible to preserve their pathways by placing a wildlifefriendly gravel board on each side of a garden. Small native animals can confidently move across the neighbourhood at night via safe access routes. They can forage, find mates and explore areas for shelter and hibernation. By creating safe neighbourhood pathways, hedgehogs can avoid dangerous places like roads and pavements,” added Ross.
