Warning Ducks, and other strange roadsign?

[sprinterguy]

I wondered about Glenshiel (https://www.google.com/maps/@57.164...6F_RySiMUIybUvqetqrw!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?hl=en). Is that famous enough, though? And it doesn't look quite right, although maybe the different camera angle and level of zoom could account for that.

My first thought on seeing the initial image was that it was the sign for The Battle of Glen Shiel.

 

[dastocks]

My own favourite is this sign on the A27 at Tangmere - apologies if it's already been posted:

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[341o2]

At a guess, shows there is no point spending time trying to inform a farmer that some of their livestock has gone for a wander.

Domestic animals freely roam in certain areas. Here in the New Forest, we have ponies, donkeys, cattle, sheep and pigs. They have the right of way, and it is an offence to collide with one

 

[BingMan]

In various parts of the opposite end of England, red squirrels hang on, though beleaguered by the advancing greys. Have noticed road signs in various spots in the part of Cumbria which used to be Westmorland: intended to alert motorists to red squirrels' being around, and to request them to try not to run them over. One such which I observed, read "Caution -- red squirrels": thought that wording perhaps a little unfortunate -- visitors not au fait with Britain's squirrel situation, might misinterpret such a sign along lines of "they can be vicious little brutes -- beware !"

There are road signs in Borrowdale saying "Red Squirrels drive slowly". With the implication that the grey variety are known drive too fast.

 

[Gloster]

There are road signs in Borrowdale saying "Red Squirrels drive slowly". With the implication that the grey variety are known drive too fast.

Somewhere on the Isle of Wight I have seen Red Squirrels Take Care. Grey ones are known to be reckless and slipshod.

 

[swt_passenger]

Wouldn't it be easier to say who is allowed?

Would have been easier to make it A14(M) then the normal start of motorway sign would do…

 

[Mojo]

I saw this sign on the A4 Portway in Bristol a few years ago. Unofficial of course but at least it was made to look slightly legitimate.

There were numerous sightings and stories of what people were calling the Bristol Crocodile, of course many experts pointed out that in the British climate it was much more likely to have been an alligator...

 

[Intercity110]

View attachment 134928

I saw this sign on the A4 Portway in Bristol a few years ago. Unofficial of course but at least it was made to look slightly legitimate.

There were numerous sightings and stories of what people were calling the Bristol Crocodile, of course many experts pointed out that in the British climate it was much more likely to have been an alligator...

Isn’t that against the open government licence for roadsigns, surely?

 

[edwin_m]

There were numerous sightings and stories of what people were calling the Bristol Crocodile, of course many experts pointed out that in the British climate it was much more likely to have been an alligator...

That's just an allegation though.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

I often see trucks carrying the placard: 'Caution Horses'. Still, it's a wonder that they can drive at all, trying to operate the pedals with those great big hooves...

 

[jon0844]

My own favourite is this sign on the A27 at Tangmere - apologies if it's already been posted:

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A valid, but pointless sign.

Recently we had two days where the police had to close a road because of kids racing along the A414 near Hatfield with horse drawn 'vehicles'. They didn't have permission and initially did it with other traffic, so the police closed the road for their safety and then stood on a nearby bridge to observe and direct traffic onto other roads.

So, I can't see the point in such a sign. If they want to do it, they not only will but will likely have the road handed over to them.

 

[zwk500]

A valid, but pointless sign.

Recently we had two days where the police had to close a road because of kids racing along the A414 near Hatfield with horse drawn 'vehicles'. They didn't have permission and initially did it with other traffic, so the police closed the road for their safety and then stood on a nearby bridge to observe and direct traffic onto other roads.

So, I can't see the point in such a sign. If they want to do it, they not only will but will likely have the road handed over to them.

The sign gives notice that it is prohibited, and therefore once the police are able to detain the horse racers there is one less legal obstacle to prosecuting them.

It may not prevent people doing it in the first place, but it's not totally pointless. And personally, I can't blame the police for deciding with potentially fast traffic around not to start a jousting tournament.

 

[jon0844]

My point is, but now going more off topic, the police did nothing on a major dual carriageway for two days and decided not to move on the racers at all. A sign isn't going to deter anyone if they know they can get away with it. I was told that they achieved a partial road closure the year before, so it's odds-on that they'll do it next year and the next.

 

[zwk500]

My point is, but now going more off topic, the police did nothing on a major dual carriageway for two days and decided not to move on the racers at all. A sign isn't going to deter anyone if they know they can get away with it. I was told that they achieved a partial road closure the year before, so it's odds-on that they'll do it next year and the next.

But my point is that the sign isn't there for deterrence, but to make it easier to prosecute people afterwards.

The tactical decision not to f*** around and find out what happens if you start trying to take down horses on a dual carriageway with lots of frustrated drives about is one that can't be assessed from an internet forum. I can quite understand why the officers involved decided discretion was the better part of valour instead of mounting up and trying to chase/charge down the offending riders. A bolting horse on the A414 could well have damaged or harmed any number of officers, bystanders or offenders.

 

[Intercity110]

I’ve found a cow crossing on the A95 (I think) in Scotland. Does anyone know of any more (not my photograph)

 

[341o2]

Somewhere on the Isle of Wight I have seen Red Squirrels Take Care. Grey ones are known to be reckless and slipshod.

And from overseas






From GB

 

[edwin_m]

But my point is that the sign isn't there for deterrence, but to make it easier to prosecute people afterwards.

Just checked and it appears racing of motor vehicles on the highway is an offence, so the police could intervene and prosecute that even if no other offence was being committed. But presumably racing of horse drawn vehicles (or ducks!) is legal, probably because it has been possible since time immemorial and nobody has got round to banning it.

 

[dastocks]

So, I can't see the point in such a sign. If they want to do it, they not only will but will likely have the road handed over to them.

I suspect there is an historic bye-law that applies to that specific piece of road, so the sign is there to notify road users that it exists. It's the main route between Goodwood and Fontwell Park racecourses, which may have something to do with it.

I've used this stretch of road frequently over the last 25-30 years (it was part of my daily commute for a while) and have never seen a horse on it, let alone a horse drawn vehicle.

 

[zwk500]

Isn't racing on the public highway illegal anyway, presumably with exceptions for those cycle races you sometimes see?

The Road Traffic act 1988 only talks about 'Motor Racing', which is illegal unless you apply for and get issued a permit. I don't know if there is other legislation that applies to cyclists, horse racing or horse-drawn vehicles.
But even so, the sign is there so that one cannot claim in defence or mitigation that they were unaware of the regulation applying to that road.

 

[edwin_m]

The Road Traffic act 1988 only talks about 'Motor Racing', which is illegal unless you apply for and get issued a permit. I don't know if there is other legislation that applies to cyclists, horse racing or horse-drawn vehicles.
But even so, the sign is there so that one cannot claim in defence or mitigation that they were unaware of the regulation applying to that road.

Noted, my edit of the post you quoted has crossed with this one.

 

[341o2]

Just checked and it appears racing of motor vehicles on the highway is an offence, so the police could intervene and prosecute that even if no other offence was being committed. But presumably racing of horse drawn vehicles (or ducks!) is legal, probably because it has been possible since time immemorial and nobody has got round to banning it.

It is, a group of boy racers used to meet at South Mimms service station, and do a "lap" of the M25, comparing timings. Police put a stop to this

 

[Mcr Warrior]

I’ve found a cow crossing on the A95 (I think) in Scotland. Does anyone know of any more (not my photograph)

Fairly sure there's another similar "cow crossing" across a random stretch of the A75 between Dumfries and Stranraer. Believe there are hazard warning lights (situated maybe 200 yards either side of the actual crossing) which flash on and off when the crossing is in use, but can't remember if the actual crossing itself is traffic light protected.

 

[D6130]

There's another one on the A65 at Thorlby, between Skipton and Gargrave.

 

[DelW]

I’ve found a cow crossing on the A95 (I think) in Scotland. Does anyone know of any more (not my photograph)

There's another one on the A65 at Thorlby, between Skipton and Gargrave.

There used to be one across the A303 in east Devon, but Google Streetview shows that the cow sign had gone by 2014, and one of the hazard light poles had gone around 2020. It was used to get a milking herd across the road to their milking parlour, something I occasionally saw on early morning trips to Exeter.

2009 image attached.

 

[Dr_Paul]

I’ve found a cow crossing on the A95 (I think) in Scotland. Does anyone know of any more (not my photograph)

Yes! There is -- or was when I last went up there a few years back -- a cow crossing with traffic lights on the A470 at Ganllwyd, north of Dolgellau. I never saw the lights in operation any of the times I drove along the road.

This one was a rarity, the only one I saw in London was in Tottenham (for a right-hand corner), although of course there may have been others. I don't think that this sign was replicated in the modern style using a red triangle.

 

[PG]

This one was a rarity, the only one I saw in London was in Tottenham (for a right-hand corner), although of course there may have been others. I don't think that this sign was replicated in the modern style using a red triangle.

View attachment 134993

Would the current signage be this?

Picture shows a red border triangular road sign for a right hand bend.

 

[Dr_Paul]

Would the current signage be this?
View attachment 135001
Picture shows a red border triangular road sign for a right hand bend.

Perhaps, but it's not quite a 90 degree turn. The old sign meant a really sharp bend; indeed, a real corner.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Perhaps, but it's not quite a 90 degree turn. The old sign meant a really sharp bend; indeed, a real corner.

Wouldn't a really sharp bend these days also be indicated by the presence of chevron signs, i.e. a series of white chevron patterns on a black rectangular background?

 

[AndyPJG]

Google Street ViewI’ve found a cow crossing on the A95 (I think) in Scotland. Does anyone know of any more (not my photograph)

On the A342 just north-west of Ludgershall
Google Street View


{shows a road sign warning of cattle ahead with "When lights show 300 yds" below}

 

[Ken H]

Perhaps, but it's not quite a 90 degree turn. The old sign meant a really sharp bend; indeed, a real corner.

There is a warning sign with a 135 degree bend used to warn of a hairpin bend. Think there is one at Edge Hill between Stratford upon Avon and Banbury.