Villagers install signs to protect family of ducks
Sarah West has lived in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, her entire life and said the eight ducklings and their mother have become a beloved fixture in their small village.
After witnessing countless "near misses", she implored Aldbourne Parish Council to install prominent 'duck crossing' warning signs on the B4192, but to no avail.
Aldbourne Parish Council said it will ultimately be up to the highways department at Wiltshire Council whether the signs are permanently installed on the road.
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The issue will be raised at a parish council meeting on Wednesday.
In the meantime, councillor Alison Edmonds volunteered to pay for two temporary signs out of her own pocket, while they wait and hope for more official signage.
Ms West says the mother was originally followed by 12 ducklings in tow, but four have gradually been lost to predators and environmental factors.
"Dying of natural causes is more bearable, but being squashed would be so unpleasant," she said.
She added it is unlikely the birds could avoid a vehicle approaching them at speed.
"They're so small you could fit them in the palm of your hand. When you watch them crossing the road, they struggle to hop up onto the pavement."
The 61-year-old recalled a "terrifying" incident where a van drove over the entire family, but they "miraculously" ended up between the four wheels, unscathed.
"I nearly had a heart attack," she said. "I was so scared the whole lot had been killed in front of me.
"Every day we count the ducklings to make sure they're all still there. People tear through the village, it's only a matter of time.
"We've done what we can but it's not enough, it's now up to the council to do their bit to protect them."
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