7/12/2006

Local News

Plea for reflective signs to stop badger deaths

Four badgers have been killed at the junction of Parvis Road and Sopwith Drive since January.
Now Byfleet councillor Esther Watson Green is looking into the possibility of siting the special signs following expert advice.
The most recent death at the ‘badger blackspot’ was last week and Cllr Watson Green has been liaising with Bob Shatwell, chairman of the West Surrey Badger Group, about the problem.
Cllr Watson Green, who will approach Surrey County Council about the possibility of funding the project, said: “This is the fourth badger that has been killed in the village this year.
“We are asking the county council to fund five or six posts with triangular reflectors that can be put at the side of the road. We need to stop Byfleet’s badgers from being killed.”
Mr Shatwell said: “When a car approaches the badger sees a pair of eyes on the triangular reflective sign and it stops them in their tracks.
“The car drives past and the badger can then cross the road as the illuminated eyes go out.
“It will cost about £600 to put the posts in and we have not got that sort of money.
“I am hoping that Cllr Watson Green will be able to get some response from the county council about siting the posts as it is a badger black spot.

First printed in: Byfleet News and Mail