CONCERNED DRIVERS are urging other motorists to watch out for wildlife on Saddleworth’s roads after a young deer was struck on Manchester Road.
Davina Williams stopped on her way to work after spotting the injured animal, which had been hit moments before and was being helped by the drivers of a van and car. 
The deer was bleeding heavily as one of its antlers had been knocked off, but, after Davina called husband Richard for help, the animal was released back into the countryside.
And now the Greenfield couple wants other drivers to be on the look-out, especially along Manchester Road and Well-i-hole Road where there are no deer warning signs.
Richard said: “Most residents in the area know the deer are there but you do not expect to see them and we want people to keep an eye out for them.
“The deer are fast and agile and can dart out quickly across the road at any point. If a car swerves and hits a wall to avoid them, that’s a concern too.
“The deer are beautiful, a rarity, and need to be protected. Just a simple sign with a warning would help.
“There are people who want to harm them but they are the minority. Most people would love to see them and it would make their day or even their week.”
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Cabinet Member for Environment and Housing, said: “Manchester Road and Well-i-hole Road are relatively straight with street lighting, which means a motorist should have adequate warning of deer in the road ahead.
“What cannot be legislated for is when an animal enters the carriageway directly in front of a moving vehicle – in this instance a warning sign would not help to stop the death or serious injury to an animal.
“This type of warning sign is frequently used on woodland roads which have a tortuous alignment, no system of street lighting and when motorists have very limited forward visibility.
“We are aware there are many varieties of wildlife in Saddleworth due to its rural nature. Unfortunately it is not possible to warn motorists for every eventuality of an animal entering the highway.”
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