Rising deer collisions on A15 near Rippingale prompts calls for action

Jason has taken to pulling deer off the road that have been hit, and said four or five carcasses were recently spotted by a family driving along that stretch of road which has a 60mph speed limit.

“I’ve had enough of seeing the deer scattered along the road there and no-one caring,” said Jason, who runs a gardening business.

“It’s a major problem and everyone around here knows it. It’s about time people stepped up to help these poor deer.”

He would like bigger signs warning drivers of deer, as well as further speed restrictions, lighting, and ultimately, a bridge or tunnel crossing.

“There is nothing there apart from one small sign; it’s a joke really,” Jason said.

“People who live here know to slow down but there are plenty of drivers that race along. It should be 5mph down there.

“Something needs to be done for the safety of people as well, but the deer haven’t got a big metal box to protect them.”

Jason has the support of Coun Sue Woolley (Con) - Lincolnshire County Council ward member for Bourne North and Morton - and has also contacted the police and the Lincolnshire Deer Group.

“I live two miles away so I’ve been aware of this for a while, but it seems to be particularly bad this year,” said Coun Woolley.

“It feels like every single time you drive down that stretch of road you see at least one carcass.”

She has asked Lincolnshire Highways for more warning signs and for ways of deterring deer from crossing when traffic is approaching.

“It’s a case of keeping both people safe on the road because deer don’t give you any warning, and also keeping them safe,” she added.

“At the moment if you travel northbound on the A15 there is only one deer sign on the left-hand side.

“We want to know if there could more road signage, but of course the bigger problem is getting the message through to the deer themselves.”

Jason estimates the deer population at Dunsby Wood, next to the A15, to be around 1,500.

“Me and my fiancee came by one night and counted 104 deer crossing the road,” he said.

“They are part of our community. I’ve heard people say they are not owned by anyone so it doesn’t matter, but it does.”

Rowan Smith, local highways manager for Lincolnshire County Council, said the council had no plans to increase signage there but would ‘review all correspondence’ and consider the ‘best approach’.

“Road users need to take care and drive to the surroundings and conditions at all times,” he said.

“The issue of wildlife is wide-reaching all around the country and at the county council we will always listen to local residents about their thoughts on the matter.”

He added: “In reality, increasing the amount of signs won’t stop these incidents as a deer will tend to appear from nowhere and catch a driver unawares, but the signs we have in place do raise the awareness of the driver to the possibility of the animals appearing.

“The amount of warning signs at this location is what we feel is required for the route mentioned.”