Written question asked by Gavin Strang (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 24 January 1997. It was answered by James Clappison (Conservative) on Friday, 24 January 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What length of hedgerow has been lost in England in each year since 1979. - Inc figs for average annual net loss 1984 to 1990 and 1990 to 1993.

Answer: Dr. Strang: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what length of hedgerow has been lost in England each year since 1979. [12482] Mr. Clappison: The information is not available in the form requested. The Department commissioned two surveys into hedgerow changes covering the years from 1984 to 1990 and from 1990 to 1993. The latter survey indicated an average annual net loss of 18,100 km of hedges in England and Wales. The comparable annual figure for the previous survey period was 21,900 km. In these figures, the net "loss" of hedges refers to both removal of hedges and changes to other types of field boundary such as relict hedges and fences. No further research into hedgerow loss has been undertaken.

Secondary information