Essex Councillor Blasts Costly Duck Road Sign Near Southend

Key Points

• A £7,000 temporary road sign warning of ducks crossing was installed on a lamp post in Daws Heath Road, near Southend-on-Sea, Essex, on Monday.​
• Castle Point Borough Council councillor John Knott for St Michael’s Ward criticised the sign, stating he has lived in the area for 25 years without seeing a duck cross the road, and noted no ponds or water nearby.​
• Knott called the expenditure “ridiculous” and a “huge amount of money for what is a wrong sign,” adding that residents are amazed, it has become a running joke, and people are incredulous about ducks in Daws Heath.​
• Essex Highways spokesperson confirmed the sign is temporary, installed due to ducks crossing frequently near a nature reserve.​
• Essex Highways emphasised their duty to warn road users of potential hazards based on safety surveys, resident reports, and highways officer recommendations.​
• People’s Independent Party councillor Matthew Cortes said residents are “puzzled” by the sign.​
• Essex County Council stated ducks cross frequently in the area, with campaigners previously raising concerns about roadkill on Daws Heath Road.​

Daws Heath (Cardiff Daily) February 05, 2026 – A local councillor has fiercely criticised a £7,000 road sign erected to warn drivers of ducks potentially crossing Daws Heath Road near Southend-on-Sea in Essex, questioning its necessity after decades of residency in the area with no such sightings. The temporary sign, attached to a lamp post on Monday, has sparked debate over public spending and road safety priorities, as reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Critics argue it represents wasteful expenditure amid claims of no local water sources or duck activity, while authorities defend it as a vital hazard warning near a nature reserve.​

Why Did the Councillor Call the Sign Ridiculous?

Councillor John Knott, representing St Michael’s Ward on Castle Point Borough Council, led the charge against the sign’s installation. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Knott stated: “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.” He further elaborated on the financial aspect, saying: “This is a huge amount of money for what is a wrong sign.” Knott highlighted local sentiment, noting: “Residents are amazed; it’s become a running joke, and everyone says there are no ducks in Daws Heath. People are incredulous.” His comments underscore broader concerns about value for money in local highway projects.​

What Is Essex Highways’ Response to the Criticism?

An Essex Highways spokesperson directly addressed the backlash, confirming the sign’s temporary nature. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the spokesperson said the installation occurred because “ducks [are] crossing frequently in the location as it was close to a nature reserve.” The spokesperson added: “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.” This defence positions the sign as a proactive safety measure rather than an extravagant whim.​

Who Else Has Weighed In on the Duck Sign?

Support for the criticism came from fellow councillor Matthew Cortes of the People’s Independent Party on Castle Point Borough Council. As covered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Cortes remarked that residents have been left “puzzled” by the sign. This echoes Knott’s portrayal of widespread local disbelief. Meanwhile, Essex County Council provided additional context, stating there were “ducks crossing frequently” in the area. They noted that campaigners had previously raised concerns about roadkill on Daws Heath Road, justifying the precautionary approach.​

Where Exactly Was the Sign Installed?

The controversy centres on Daws Heath Road, near Southend-on-Sea in Essex. The sign was affixed to a lamp post specifically on Monday, as detailed in reports from the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Its proximity to a nature reserve is cited by authorities as the key factor driving frequent duck crossings, despite residents’ contrary experiences. This location has now become a focal point for discussions on balancing wildlife hazards with fiscal responsibility.​

How Does This Fit Into Broader Road Safety Debates?

The £7,000 cost has amplified scrutiny on how highway authorities prioritise signage. Councillor Knott’s assertion of no local water bodies challenges the need for duck-specific warnings, potentially fuelling calls for more rigorous site assessments. Essex Highways’ reliance on “safety surveys, resident reports and recommendations from highways officers” suggests a data-driven process, but the disconnect with Knott’s 25-year observation raises questions about report accuracy. Campaigners’ prior roadkill concerns indicate underlying wildlife-road conflicts that may not be immediately visible to all locals.​

What Have Residents Said About the Sign?

Local reactions, as relayed by Councillor Knott, paint a picture of amusement and astonishment. He described it as a “running joke,” with residents declaring “there are no ducks in Daws Heath” and expressing incredulity. Councillor Cortes reinforced this by noting residents are “puzzled,” implying confusion over both the sign’s presence and expense. These voices highlight a perceived mismatch between official assessments and everyday experiences in the community.​

Is the Sign Permanent or Temporary?

Essex Highways has clarified that the duck warning is explicitly temporary. The spokesperson, via the Local Democracy Reporting Service, tied its placement to ongoing duck activity near the nature reserve, but did not specify a removal timeline. This temporariness may temper some criticism, yet the upfront £7,000 cost remains a flashpoint. Authorities’ commitment to hazard awareness underscores why such measures, even short-term, are deemed essential.​

Why Was £7,000 Spent on a Single Sign?

The expenditure figure, first highlighted by Councillor Knott, has become central to the story. Knott deemed it “a huge amount of money for what is a wrong sign,” amplifying resident amazement. While exact breakdowns—such as materials, labour, or installation—are not detailed in reports, Essex Highways justifies it within their safety remit. The sum prompts wider reflection on budgeting for unusual signage, especially when local knowledge contests the hazard.​

What Role Did Campaigners Play?

Essex County Council’s mention of campaigners adds depth to the narrative. They had “previously raised concerns about roadkill on Daws Heath Road,” linking wildlife deaths to the need for warnings. This proactive advocacy likely influenced the decision, contrasting sharply with Knott’s and residents’ duck-free accounts. It illustrates how varied stakeholder inputs shape highway interventions.​

Could This Lead to Sign Removal?

No official moves towards removal have been announced, but mounting criticism from Knott and Cortes could pressure Essex Highways. The temporary status offers flexibility, potentially allowing swift action if surveys confirm low duck activity. Highways’ evidence-based approach—drawing on surveys and reports—may prevail, but public incredulity risks escalating the joke into a campaign.​

How Common Are Animal Crossing Signs in Essex?

While this case spotlights ducks, Essex’s rural-urban fringes often feature wildlife signage. The authority’s process, as outlined, ensures installations stem from “genuine assessed need,” but the £7,000 price tag for ducks stands out. Frequent crossings near reserves, per Essex County Council, align with regional patterns, though local denial fuels scepticism.​

In the evolving saga of Daws Heath Road, the duck sign encapsulates tensions between safety protocols and taxpayer value. Councillor Knott’s outspoken critique, backed by resident puzzlement, clashes with Essex Highways’ diligent defences. As debates simmer, the lamp post fixture serves as a quirky emblem of local governance quirks.