Geese are risking their lives by gathering on a busy road between Killingworth Lake, prompting concerns from local residents. Although most drivers are cautious, a number of geese have sadly been killed after being hit by cars, locals report.
Residents Report Recent Incidents
One resident said the latest casualty happened on Monday morning, just days after she witnessed a goose killed in the same area. She described how another goose became so terrified by the incident it started "repeatedly bashing" into a wall near the lakeside as it frantically tried to get back to the water.
A gaggle of geese have been seen standing and sitting in the road over recent weeks, causing hold-ups for drivers. Now some residents are calling on the council to take action to prevent further deaths and improve the safety of local wildlife.
Community Suggestions for Safety Measures
CCTV cameras, traffic calming measures, and barriers along the road are just some of the suggestions from members of the local community, according to one resident, who asked not to be named. Road markings and signs to warn drivers of ducks are already in place on the road at Southgate, in Killingworth.
Council Response and Monitoring
North Tyneside Council said it is "aware of concerns from the public regarding the safety of geese around Killingworth Lake" and is asking drivers to "remain vigilant and drive with appropriate care and attention." The council said it "will continue to monitor the situation and review whether any further measures are needed."
Official Statement on Wildlife Safety
Paul Nelson, Head of Environmental Sustainability, said: "We are aware of concerns from the public regarding the safety of geese around Killingworth Lake. While any incident involving wildlife is incredibly sad, we would like to reassure residents that we are only aware of one recent incident and historically the number of such incidents is very low."
"Killingworth Lake is an important ecological and recreational asset, and it is natural for geese and other waterfowl to move between different parts of the site. The area is already signed to warn motorists of the presence of wildlife and we would encourage drivers to follow the signage, remain vigilant and drive with appropriate care and attention."
"We would also remind visitors that feeding the wildlife, while often well-intentioned, can affect their natural behaviours and encourage birds to gather in areas such as roads and car parks where they may be exposed to greater risks. Visitors should follow the advice displayed on site and only feed birds at the water's edge, while limiting the amount of food provided."
"We will continue to monitor the situation and review whether any further measures are needed. Any potential measures would need to be carefully considered, balancing road safety requirements with the impact on the natural environment and its wildlife. Measures such as fencing or barriers can have unintended consequences by restricting wildlife movement, so any options would need to be assessed carefully."
