Published: 14:11 EST, 4 February 2026 | Updated: 20:27 EST, 4 February 2026
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Residents living in a quiet village have been left bemused after their local council splashed out £7,000 on a sign warning that ducks could be crossing the road.
Villagers of Daws Heath, Essex, say they have never seen a duck in the area and there are no nearby ponds.
Yet six workmen and two vans were spotted installing the triangular sign in the centre of the village earlier this week - leaving locals slightly confused.
Daws Heath councillor John Knott said: 'I've lived here 25 years and I've never seen a duck. It's ludicrous.
'Nobody has ever seen a duck crossing or flying over the road. Villagers deserve answers as to how such an expensive project was approved.'
Mr Knott was approached by residents around a year ago after a number of incidents where badgers and muntjac deer from a nearby nature reserve ended up as roadkill.
He made an application with Essex County Council for a sign warning drivers that deer could be crossing the road - and was quoted an astonishing £7,000.
'I thought it was a lot of money,' he added. 'But I expected two new posts set into the ground with concrete.
Daws Heath councillor John Knott says a new sign in Daws Heath, Essex, warning residents of ducks crossing the road is 'ludicrous'
Should councils be held accountable for spending thousands on signs that locals say make no sense?
'And yet we've had them strap a triangular warning sign to a lamppost at the cost of around £50 if you search online.
'The idea that ducks "frequently" cross the road is absolutely rubbish. We have a woodland nature reserve close by but it’s full of mammals, not ducks.
'Residents are up in arms about the cost. From both the financial aspect and the competency side, we’d like answers.'
A spokesperson for Essex Highways told another newspaper: 'This temporary wildlife warning sign was installed due to ducks crossing frequently in this location as it is close to a nature reserve.
'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.'
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