Boo! Disco moos don't make the grade
But idea caught imagination of the nation
THEY could have been wild, free and lit up like a Christmas tree.
But the idea of disco cows – pimping the Hungerford Common herd by attaching flourescent collars and even flashing lights to the animals – may sadly prove impractical.
The scheme, floated by civic leaders as an idea to protect cattle from careless motorists, gained nationwide newspaper, television and radio publicity prompted by last week’s revelation in the Newbury Weekly News.
Town councillors confirmed they considered the novel measure to protect the grazing herd from cars at night.
In June, a cow had to be put down after being struck by a vehicle on Hungerford Common. This was the latest in a series of similar incidents and led to renewed calls for the speed limit to be reduced.
Commons secretary and trustee of the Town and Manor, Robert James, has repeatedly campaigned for a lesser speed limit to protect livestock from repeated injury. This has so far been resisted by the highways authority, West Berkshire Council.
In addition, calls for more speed limit signs were rejected on the grounds that this represented an “urbanisation of the environment”.
However, Mr James said in a letter to the town council, following last week’s debate: “You appreciate the seriousness of the speeding problem on the Common Port Down despite the 40mph limit, which was a compromise by West Berkshire Council to the proposal for a 30mph speed limit after 10 years of lobbying.
“As you will know, in collisions between car and cattle, generally the car is severely damaged and the cattle survive except for a few bruises. But it is most upsetting to all when an animal is killed or has to be shot due to injury.”
However, he added: “Neither the farmer graziers nor the commoners believe that [fluorescent] collars will provide sufficient reflection to save an accident and the cost is £15 to £20 each.
“Furthermore, the cattle are likely to lose them while foraging in the hedgerows and woodlands.
“My view is that speed bumps would be worth a try and speed monitoring definitely should be adopted with 30mph as well.”
The town council has already begun investigating the practcality of installing temporary speed indication devices.
Mr James added: “The skid marks with the last fatal collision gave an indication of 50mph and, as far as I’m aware, the accident was never reported to the police by the driver so the farmer will be unable to make an insurance claim.
“Reducing the speed limit will greatly reduce injury and vehicle damage and that is the road to pursue.”