FLINTSHIRE residents have been left bemused by the county council's choice of sign on a hazardous road.

Buckley and Drury residents have been campaigning for years for signage warning of a sharp bend on Mount Pleasant Road, or for drivers to slow down.

Instead, the council has chosen to erect a sign warning drivers of amphibians, leaving residents angered and puzzled by the council's decision.

And residents are questioning whether the local authority's limited funds were best placed in implementing such signage.

David Evans, a resident living on the road, said: "The bend has had several visits from councillors and highways officers, and we have had promises that signage would be erected to warn people of the bend or to slow down.

"But what have we ended up with? A sign warning of toads. I've witnessed several cars literally scraping against one another on this bend, it's so sharp and the road is very narrow. Bin lorries have to reverse down there, and what about if ambulances or fire engines need to use this road?

"It's cliched, but it really is an accident waiting to happen, and these signs seem like a bit of a joke."

Mr Evans, while acknowledging the impact of austerity and cuts to public services, believes this is a prime example of where the council could have saved money.

He added: "To me it just seems like a waste of money which there is so little of, when the council say there is nothing left in the pot, you have to look at instances such as putting a sign warning of toads up and say there are ways it can save. There is still scope for a better balance."

Cllr Mike Peers, county councillor for Buckley Pentrobin Ward, said: "There were plans for a layby on this stretch of road and relevant signage, with work scheduled to begin in March.

"However, we have been informed by the council's ecologist department this would interfere with migrating toads. This means a temporary sign has been erected to warn people of the migratory toads.

"Therefore the plans have been altered and stalled, with the site for the proposed layby changing.

"I can understand people's frustration, but we have been informed that the signs are a statutory requirement so we have to abide by the legislation."

But Mr Evans is not convinced with the council's justification.

He added: "So do they now expect people to swerve out of the way of or slam on the brakes to avoid these toads on a road which is already hazardous?

"Or do they expect us to stop, get out of our cars and place the toads in a box and post it through county hall's letter box?"

Barry Wilkinson, Flintshire Council highway network manager, said: “The road signs on Mount Pleasant, Drury, advising motorists of toads on the road are placed during the seasonal migration period between February to June each year.

“This road is subject to an improvement scheme due to start in June 2019, following the migration period, which will address parking on the lane and general safety improvement including lining and signing at the site.”