Gloucestershire roads bosses to look at avoiding cattle deaths

Councillors have said current measures are not adequate

Highways bosses have agreed to look into road safety measures to prevent cattle and horses being killed.

It comes after three cows died grazing on Minchinhampton and Rodborough Commons in the last grazing season.

Gloucestershire County Council has said it will set up a task force to look at ideas to stop cattle being killed.

David Gray, environment and planning cabinet member, said it was "important" the council "go beyond" statutory duties on the "unique" natural area.

Some 450 cows and a few horses graze on the commons but are continuously at risk from vehicle strikes.

Rodborough councillor John Bloxsom, bought forward the motion alongside Minchinhampton councillor Chloe Turner at a council meeting on 8 November, but councillors ran out of time to discuss the issue fully.

Mr Gray did manage to say the council is "committed to working cross party" towards solutions, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "We will convene a task and finish group which will include more than just myself, it will include officers as well.

"I do think Minchinhampton is a unique landscape as the motion made clear, and it is important we go beyond addressing our statutory duties and we reflect on the unique nature of that environment."

The task group would include councillors from Minchinhampton, Nailsworth and Rodborough along with the highways, environment and community safety cabinet members.