Sheep deaths plea to moors motorists (From Gazette & Herald)

Sheep deaths plea to moors motorists

SOARING numbers of sheep killed by speeding motorists have caused North Yorkshire moorland managers to call for caution.

Drivers kill more than 200 sheep and lambs every year in North Yorkshire.

But this year deaths have increased hugely, and worried farmers and National Park officers are pleading with motorists to curb their speed.

Mark Carter, whose sheep graze the moors above Rosedale, said: "We have worked extremely hard for many years to build up our moorland flock. The deaths of ewes and lambs caused by careless and speeding motorists is depressing and demoralising.

"It causes financial losses we can ill afford, but also makes us question why we should continue to put in the time and effort."

Despite a campaign to reduce animal accidents in the area, and the introduction of more than a hundred signs on unfenced moorland roads, farmers are concerned that more animals than ever are being killed.

Sheep accidents are a serious problem along the road from Castleton to Hutton-le-Hole and roads above Rosedale, Westerdale and Commondale, although there is still the danger of stray sheep on any carriageway.

Bill Breakell, the North York Moors tourism and transport officer, confirmed that the problem has got worse.

"Every motorist, whether they drive a truck or a car, needs to be aware of the additional dangers on moorland roads and the real suffering and distress caused to animals and their owners following accidents," he said.

Mr Breakell said that although visitor numbers increased over the summer, more local drivers were often the problem.

"Most of them will know the road well, but can never predict where every sheep or lamb is, nor what the animal is going to do," he said.

Vehicles can be seriously damaged in collisions and the animals often die as a result of their injuries.

But Mr Breakell said there was also a human cost to the accidents.

"There have been serious injuries and even fatalities for drivers and passengers following vehicle accidents with sheep," he explained.

"The message is straightforward - allow a little longer for the journey on moorland roads and reduce speed to 40 or below."

Rural parts of Surrey and the New Forest already have 40mph limits in force.

In Dartmoor, the number of animal accidents reduced by 27 per cent after a 40mph limit was introduced.

Updated: 11:55 Wednesday, July 16, 2003