Councillor criticises £7,000 duck road sign

A councillor has criticised a £7,000 road sign warning drivers that ducks may be crossing the road after claiming he had never seen a duck in the area.

The sign was attached to a lamp post in Daws Heath Road, near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on Monday, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

John Knott, a councillor on Castle Point Borough Council for St Michael's Ward, said: "I've lived here 25 years and I've never seen a duck cross the road, we've got no ponds, there's no water, it's ridiculous."

An Essex Highways spokesperson said the sign was temporary and has been installed due to ducks crossing frequently in the location as it was close to a nature reserve.

Knott added: "This is a huge amount of money for what is a wrong sign. Residents are amazed; it's become a running joke, and everyone says there are no ducks in Daws Heath. People are incredulous."

Matthew Cortes, a People's Independent Party councillor on the authority, said residents have been left "puzzled" by the sign.

An Essex Highways spokesperson added: "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."

Essex County Council said there were "ducks crossing frequently" in the area, and campaigners had previously raised concerns about roadkill on Daws Heath Road.

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