By Faye Mayern
A 7k road sign warning motorists that ducks may be crossing the road has surprised villagers – as they’ve never seen one in the area and they don’t have a pond.
Residents of Daws Heath, in Essex, spotted six workmen and two vans putting the triangular sign up earlier this week.
But it has left locals baffled as they claim they’ve never seen a duck cross the road and they don’t have any bodies of water close by.
Daws Heath councillor John Knott said: “I’ve lived here 25 years and I’ve never seen a duck. It’s all ludicrous.
“Nobody’s ever seen a duck crossing or flying over the road.
“Villagers deserve answers as to how such an expensive project was approved.”
Independent Cllr Knott said residents had initially approached him a year ago after a large amount of badgers and muntjac deer ended up as roadkill.
He had made an application with Essex County Council for a sign advising drivers deer could be crossing and was quoted £7k (nearly $10,000).
Cllr Knott said: “I thought it was a lot of money but I expected two new posts set into the ground with concrete.
“And yet we’ve had them strap a triangular warning sign to a lamppost at the cost of around £50 if you search online.
“The idea that ducks ‘frequently’ cross the road is absolutely rubbish.
“We have a woodland nature reserve close by but it’s full of mammals, not ducks.
“Residents are up in arms about the cost. From both the financial aspect and the competency side, we’d like answers.”
A spokesperson for Essex Highways told another newspaper: “This temporary wildlife warning sign was installed due to ducks crossing frequently in this location as it is close to a nature reserve.
“Ensuring road users are aware of potential hazards is an important part of our duty to keep people safe on our network.
“Warning signs are installed only where there is a genuine assessed need, based on safety surveys, resident reports and recommendations from Highways officers.”
