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  "path": "/news/council-row-rages-duck-warning-sign-southend-daws-heath-road-john-knott",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-06T09:24:20.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Dog walker rescued from tree by firefighters after scrambling to flee angry cow",
    "University sued by staff member because his pension isn't VEGAN",
    "Beachgoers issued warning for MILES of coastline after potentially fatal poisonous plant found",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA local councillor has been left raging over a \"ridiculous\" duck warning sign that has cost the council an eye-watering £7,000.\n\nJohn Knott launched a scathing attack on the extortionate road sign, which alerts motorists to duck crossings on Daws Heath Road near Southend-on-Sea.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe insists, however, he has never witnessed a single duck nearby during his quarter-century living there.\n\nMr Knott, who represents St Michael's Ward on Castle Point Borough Council, questioned the decision and expense in installing the warning on a lamp post in an area he claims lacks any ponds for ducks to even thrive.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSpeaking to the BBC, Cllr Knott said: \"I've lived here 25 years and I've never seen a duck cross the road, we've got no ponds, there's no water, it's ridiculous.\"\n\nThe People's Independent councillor condemned the mammoth sum spent on what he described as an inaccurate and certainly unnecessary sign, expressing concerns about both the cost and apparent incompetence in the decision-making process.\n\n\"This is a huge amount of money for what is a wrong sign. Residents are amazed; it's become a running joke, and everyone says there are no ducks in Daws Heath. People are incredulous,\" Cllr Knott added.\n\nHe has formally requested an explanation from the authorities, stating that Essex residents deserve proper answers regarding the expenditure.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe absence of any nearby water features has left locals particularly baffled by the wildlife warning's placement.\n\nFellow People's Independent councillor Matthew Coates expressed similar bewilderment, noting that residents have been left \"puzzled\" by the sign's appearance.\n\nHe demanded clarity on the situation, asking: \"What the duck is going on?\"\n\nReports indicate that six workmen accompanied by two vans were dispatched to attach the sign to a lamppost in the centre of Daws Heath.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Dog walker rescued from tree by firefighters after scrambling to flee angry cow\n  * University sued by staff member because his pension isn't VEGAN\n  * Beachgoers issued warning for MILES of coastline after potentially fatal poisonous plant found\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe installation comes against a backdrop of ongoing safety concerns on the road, with campaigners having previously highlighted issues with speeding traffic and roadkill incidents.\n\nThere have also been various crashes on the busy route, prompting calls for speed cameras to be installed.\n\nEssex Highways has defended the temporary wildlife warning, maintaining that ducks regularly traverse the location owing to its proximity to a nature reserve.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA spokesperson for Essex Highways said: \"Ensuring road users are aware of potential hazards is an important part of our duty to keep people safe, as well as the surrounding wildlife.\"\n\nThe authority emphasised that such warning signs are only erected where a genuine need has been established through safety assessments, reports from local residents, and recommendations from highways officers.\n\nEssex County Council reiterated that ducks cross the road frequently in the area, while acknowledging that campaigners had previously raised concerns about roadkill on Daws Heath Road.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Councillor rages over 'ridiculous' £7k duck warning sign - 'I've lived here 25 years and never seen one'"
}