Stray ducks have put councillors in a flap by putting pedestrians' lives at stake on a busy Witham street.

Bird lovers have become used to the sight of their feathered friends roaming close to the pond off Forest Road.

But there are fears an accident could occur if a driver is forced to swerve to avoid a duck waddling into the street.

Witham resident and RSPB member Valerie Stevenson says it is only a matter of time before a speeding motorist crashes taking evasive action.

Now town councillors have agreed to look at ways of warning drivers of the duck danger.

At a meeting last night, the town council planning committee voted overwhelmingly to look at the possibility of putting up warning signs in a bid to alert motorists.

Bob Evans said the wayward ducks were putting themselves and people at risk.

"They have become quite tame and wander around in people's gardens nibbling away at food, but the consequence is they have become used to traffic and will waddle into the middle of the road for reasons best known to the ducks," he said.

"The risk to the ducks is a concern to people who are fond of them. Some people will give way to a duck but often there is a screech of brakes and a car will swerve. It's a dangerous situation."

He added: "I'm not sure how much we can do to stop people driving in the manner they do, but it will contribute to the safety of ducks if we can have signs put up."

He said the town council should look at the cost of putting up warning signs if county council highways chiefs refused to stump up the cash.

Similar schemes have already been set up in other parts of the country to warn drivers of hedgehogs and toads crossing the road.

Phil Barlow said: "These ducks are a feature and a pleasure in all sorts of ways to residents. These signs are not unique - I've seen a few of them around."

The council was told hazard signs could save the lives of both ducks and people.

Mr Evans added: "We could be killing two birds with one stone."

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