Distraught pupils are pleading with irresponsible drivers to “kill” their speed - and not the ducks - outside their local primary school in Scone.
With support from outgoing Lib Dem Councillor Lewis Simpson, the children who attend Robert Douglas Memorial have made posters and drafted letters calling for more action after a spate of fatalities among the Scone Pond duck population.
They are calling on Perth and Kinross Council to extend the present 20mph speed limit in Stormont Road, where five ducks have already been killed so far this year - mowed down and killed by errant drivers.
Mr Simpson, who met with concerned parents and pupils earlier this week, explained yesterday: “There is an existing 20mph limit at the school, as well as the usual flashing signs.
“What the parents and kids want, however, is for the limit to be extended at least round Scone Park - and possibly even for all of Scone - with more signage, road markings and also some enforcement.”
Local resident Emma Thomas, of Woollcombe Square, has been prominent in the campaign to gain local support for the safety measures after the issue was highlighted on the Scone Community Council website.
She has three children at RDM - Kayley (7), nine-year-old Dale and Jake, who is 10.
The ducks, many of whom nest in the school grounds, regularly cross the road to return to their feeding area at the pond.
But several have been hit by cars travelling along the stretch of road near the school.
“I decided to speak to Lewis so he met with us and encouraged my kids to do posters/letters to send to the council," Emma said.
"I then contacted their teachers who all agreed to help and do work with their respective classes.
“Kayley’s class, 2a, made posters and wrote letters; Dale’s P4/5 class also wrote letters; and Jake’s P6b class made signs, the best of which said: ‘Please slow down. Ducks in danger.’
“In the P4/5 letters, the children suggested speed bumps to slow traffic and ‘20s plenty’ signs. They all must be congratulated for their hard work and concern for the local wildlife.”
Emma added: “The children are really sad about the ducks getting run over and one said: ‘It’s just devastating to see these poor things lying dead on the road.’
“I would appeal to drivers to strictly observe the signs. Please kill your speed - and not the ducks.”
Reports of the carnage prompted dozens of posts on the community council website, with one local woman urging drivers to “please, please slow down.”
The concerned local added: “It’s a 20mph (limit) in front of a school and ducks just don’t exactly come out of nowhere like deer, etc.”
“I can only assume people are still driving too fast here or don’t care enough to slow down for the local wildlife,” she added.
Mr Simpson, who didn’t seek re-election at yesterday’s polls, added: “I am really pleased that one of my last acts as the local councillor for Scone is to support this group of young people.
“It is great that they are taking such an interest both in the welfare of the ducks as well as other road safety and speeding issues around their park and school and I thank them for all the work that they have done.
“I trust that by highlighting this issue, both passing motorists and Perth and Kinross Council will take note.”
A Perth and Kinross Council spokesperson said: “We put up duck warning signs following consultation with the community and would be happy to consider any request for a reduced speed limit or extension to the existing 20mph zone.’’
