Shropshire Star

Sheep take to Shropshire's roads.

Ewe never know what you will find on the roads of Shropshire.

Published

Police say in the first week in March there have been no less than 10 reports of sheep wandering along main roads in the county, from busy trunk roads to the middle of Shrewsbury.

Cows and calves have also strayed onto the highway and also this week two dogs have caused problems for drivers.

Motorists are being warned that this is the time of year when livestock is likely to stray, looking for fresh grass and drivers should drive with caution.

Problems began on March 2 at 7am, when 20-30 sheep strayed onto the A53 at Ternhill.

The next morning saw up to 30 sheep on the A49 near Woofferton at 10am and a similar number on the A495 Welsh Frankton to Whittington road near the Narrowboat Inn. At midday another group was on the B4363 Bridgnorth to Highleyand 15-20 were roaming on Warrant Road at Stoke Heath just before 7pm..

On March 4 five sheep were reported in the middle of the road on The Mount in Shrewsbury at 8.30am. They were back on the road and in gardens in Earlston Park, Shrewsbury on March 7 and again on the Mount and around a new development site at 7.30am on March 8.

Also on Sunday a small flock was back on Warrant Road, Stoke Heath at 6pm.

On March 7 there were also reports of sheep in the middle of the A442 Sutton Maddock to Telford Road.

Cows and calves were reported on the Prees to Sandford Road, just off the A41 near Sandford Pool, around midnight on March 3 while on March 7 two Labrador dogs were causing problems for traffic in Fishmore Road, Ludlow, around 9pm.

A police spokesman said: "This is the season when ewes and lambs are likely to punch holes in hedgerows and fences and wander off to find fresh grass. Farmers are asked to check the boundaries around their animals, although they are not helped by the thefts of electric fences and sheep hurdles - as in Stapleton, Dorrington, where hurdles were stolen overnight between on March 7/8 and by walkers who damage fences or leave gates open.

"Motorists are recommended to drive with caution on the county.s highways and be alert to the possibility that animals may be wandering around the next bend."