By Isle of Wight Observer
A Newport resident is urging drivers to consider their speed and drive with more care on Sandy Lane after a Red Squirrel was killed by a speeding vehicle.
Kate Hobart, who lives on the lane, posted a heartfelt plea on social media following the incident.
“This is a plea to people who either drive down Sandy Lane (Whitecroft–Blackwater) because they live here, use the vets, or just use it as a cut-through,” she wrote.
“I know that this lane has a national speed limit – I live on it so I’m very aware – but please can I ask you to drive with good sense. It is not suited to fast driving due to the bends, road surface, and narrowness of the lane, as well as vulnerable road users.”
She added a poignant reminder about the local fauna: “If you don’t care about pedestrians, cyclists, and horse riders, then please give a thought to our beautiful, precious (and very dim) Red Squirrels.”
“This one had crawled onto our path after being hit by a car; sadly, it was dead when we found it. It was actually the third dead one along this stretch in the last month! Please respect the local wildlife and other road users! (Or choose another route if you can’t be bothered!)”
The estimated Red Squirrel population on the Isle of Wight is around 3,500 individuals. It is considered to be the largest remaining population of the endangered species in southern England. The Island’s separation from the mainland by the Solent, has been crucial in protecting them from the invasive Grey Squirrel and the squirrel pox virus it often carries, which is fatal to the reds.