Archive - Tuesday, 4 June 2002


Find by date

Other ways to search

Also look for

Never miss anything again. Sign up for our RSS news feeds and Newsletters.

Warning signs to protect sheep

SPECIAL signs warning motorists to beware of wandering sheep and lambs on the North York Moors have been placed.

But despite the signs, officials say animals are still being killed by careless drivers.

The National Park Authority is spearheading a campaign to reduce accidents on the North York Moors, where many grazing sheep are able to walk on to main roads.

Each year hundreds of sheep are killed in road accidents on the moors, at great cost to farmers.

There have even been accidents with sheep which have caused serious injury to motorists, said Bill Breakall, of the park authority.

"In addition to scores of smaller signs warning motorists of lambs, larger reflective signs are being put up in key areas in collaboration with farmers and landowners," he said.

"The message is aimed at every motorist, whether they drive a truck or a car," he said.

"It is aimed at visitors as well as locals, most of whom know the road well, but can never predict what a sheep or lamb is going to do."

He said the situation had been made worse this year because of the removal of temporary cattle grids, installed last year as foot and mouth precautions.

"In many places this means sheep are exploring new territory and facing traffic they are not used to.

"The advice is for motorists to drive more carefully and at slower speeds."

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, June 04, 2002