Locals in an area of Lancashire have had enough of sheep allowed to run amok in residential areas where they have been marching through gardens and disrupting traffic
Residents are calling for action after being terrorised by large gangs of sheep chomping through flowers in their gardens and blocking roads.
They may appear harmless but people in an area of Lancashire have said how they gather in flocks of up to 20-strong before roaming onto property. They have been spotted in residential areas between Whitworth and Rochdale, and furious locals say they have been getting in the way of traffic as well as grazing on plants in gardens.
Coun Shah Wazir, who represents the Healey ward where the sheep are causing trouble, also believes it is a health and safety concern. And the cabinet member for highways says the problem needs to be resolved before a serious accident happens on the roads.
Residents have been saying that the flocks of sheep have been causing disruption for nearly a year and claim it is a serious risk which puts both humans as well as the animals at danger. Councillor Wazir said: “It’s causing a huge problem for the residents in the area. It has been going on for many, many months now – since early 2024. The sheep are causing a potential hazard for motorists. It’s a danger to the lives of the sheep and humans.”
Councillor Wazir went on to say residents are having to fork out for new flowers for their garden that get chomped up by the grazing sheep. With spring here and summer just around the corner, Coun Wazir sees this problem escalating and the council is wanting farmers to step up their methods to protect their animals, reported LancsLive.
The council have worked with the community ranger to look for gaps in fencing around fields allowing sheep to escape. The local authority has also consulted with farmers to keep a watchful eye on their flocks, even the police have got involved – but no solution has been reached.
Councillor Wazir continued: “We are looking for a solution because we don’t want anyone getting injured. I want to avoid any issue or accident before it happens. It’s about protecting the local residents from this safety issue.”
