A DRYBROOK resident has turned to local folklore in an effort to draw attention to what she believes is a dangerous stretch of road outside her home.

Penny Ballinger has put up handmade “bear warning” signs on Morse Road after three vehicles crashed near her property in the past four years, causing repeated damage to her home, garden and utilities.

The incidents, which date back to 2021, have all occurred along the same short section of road where water from a natural spring regularly runs across the surface.

Ms Ballinger believes drivers lose control after accelerating downhill through the wet section of road, which she said is “continually wet”.

“The route down the hill is where people take their kids to school,” she said. “We’re very lucky that there hasn’t been a fatal accident.”

The most recent crash, on Thursday, December 18, resulted in a vehicle hitting her garden wall and bringing down a telegraph pole, leaving her temporarily without internet access.

In a message shared afterwards, Ms Ballinger thanked those who helped at the scene, including neighbours, members of the public, police officers and Openreach engineers who remained until the damaged car and pole were removed and her telephone line reinstated.

Asked about the driver involved, she added: “He climbed out of the passenger side and hared off into the woods. It was his wife’s Motability vehicle so wonder whether more scared of her or the police…”

Ms Ballinger, who is disabled, said the same collision also damaged her own car, which had been parked off the road. She later said insurers were considering writing it off.

She has called for the speed limit on Morse Road to be reduced from 40mph to 30mph and raised concerns about drainage along the road.

“There’s a culvert at the bottom that doesn’t fully empty, so the drains are constantly blocking,” she said. “And whilst they can do temporary measures, they actually haven’t addressed the problem in the long term.”

The bear signs reference the well-known 1889 Forest of Dean incident often summed up by the phrase “Who killed the bears?”, when circus bears were killed following false rumours, an episode that continues to feature in local folklore.

Ms Ballinger said she hoped the signs would encourage motorists to think more carefully about their driving.

“I will stand out there with a bear forever to get this issue sorted,” she said. “I’ve always been a citizen to stir the pot, this is me doing exactly that.”

Gloucestershire County Council said it plans to address the issue this year after installing a roadside drain.

Joe Harris, cabinet member for highways at the council, said action had already been taken to address problems caused by the natural spring.

“The road does not meet current criteria for a speed reduction,” he said. “But please be assured we are paying close attention to the situation which we appreciate is frustrating for residents.”

Ms Ballinger remains determined to keep highlighting the issue until lasting changes are made.