Romford MP Rosindell Slams Government on Roadkill in Havering

Key Points

• Romford MP Andrew Rosindell, a long-time advocate for animal welfare, has criticised the Government for overlooking roadkill and animal safety in its Road Safety Strategy.
• Thousands of animals, including horses, deer, hedgehogs, wildlife, pets like dogs and cats, are killed annually on British roads, posing risks to human life as well.
• Local herds of fallow deer in Havering-atte-Bower, Noak Hill, and Harold Hill face particular dangers from road collisions.
• Rosindell calls for updates to the Road Traffic Act 1988 to better protect cats, household pets, and wildlife.
• The Government’s Road Safety Bill and recent strategy statement on Thursday omitted any mention of animal-related road safety measures.
• Protecting animals is framed not only as a matter of compassion but also as essential for overall road safety for humans, horse riders, pedestrians, and motorists.
• Rosindell has a history of animal welfare campaigning, including leading efforts to ban live exports, described as a form of animal abuse.

Romford (The Havering Daily) January 12, 2026 – Romford MP Andrew Rosindell has strongly criticised the Government for failing to address the escalating issue of roadkill and animal safety on British roads, demanding urgent inclusion in the forthcoming Road Safety Bill, with particular emphasis on risks in Havering.​

Mr Rosindell, who has championed animal welfare throughout his parliamentary career, highlighted the deaths of thousands of animals each year, including horses, deer, hedgehogs, wildlife, and pets such as dogs and cats. These collisions, he warned, also endanger human lives, especially for horse riders, pedestrians, and motorists. The MP pointed out the glaring omission in the Government’s Road Safety Strategy statement released on Thursday, which made no reference to animal safety despite the evident dangers.

Why Is Roadkill a Growing Concern on British Roads?

Roadkill represents a persistent yet often ignored crisis on UK roadways, with Mr Rosindell noting that

“thousands of animals are killed every year, including horses, deer, hedgehogs and all kinds of wildlife and pets, especially dogs and cats.”

This statement from the Romford MP underscores the scale of the problem, where wildlife and domestic animals frequently fall victim to vehicles, contributing to biodiversity loss and ecological disruption.

In Havering specifically, herds of fallow deer inhabiting areas around Havering-atte-Bower, Noak Hill, and Harold Hill are constantly at risk, as reported in coverage by The Havering Daily. Mr Rosindell stressed that these local populations highlight the need for targeted interventions, arguing that the Road Traffic Act 1988 requires modernisation to encompass protections for cats, household pets, and broader wildlife.

As reported by staff writers at The Havering Daily, the MP’s intervention comes amid broader discussions on road safety, where animal collisions are increasingly recognised as a dual threat to wildlife and public safety. Statistics on exact numbers remain anecdotal in the coverage, but the MP’s remarks elevate the issue from peripheral to a matter warranting legislative priority.

What Has Andrew Rosindell Done for Animal Welfare?

Since entering Parliament, Mr Rosindell has worked tirelessly to safeguard animals, most notably by leading the charge against live exports, which he describes as a form of animal abuse. The Havering Daily coverage attributes this longstanding commitment directly to him, positioning his current critique within a decade-plus of advocacy.

“Protecting animals is not just about compassion, it is also about safety for all road users,”

Mr Rosindell stated emphatically, linking welfare to practical road safety outcomes. His call urges the Government to integrate animal considerations into the Road Safety Bill, ensuring roads are safer for both humans and the creatures sharing communities.

Journalists at The Havering Daily note that Rosindell’s focus on Havering-specific risks, such as the fallow deer herds, personalises the national issue, making it resonant for local constituents. This builds on his reputation as a vocal protector of animal rights, from bans on cruel practices to now pushing for vehicular safeguards.

What Risks Do Animal Collisions Pose to Humans?

Animal-vehicle collisions frequently threaten human life, particularly for vulnerable road users, as Mr Rosindell highlighted:

“These collisions often pose risks to human life too, particularly for horse riders, pedestrians and motorists.”

The Romford MP’s words, as covered by The Havering Daily, draw a clear connection between animal deaths and human peril, elevating the debate beyond sentiment.

In rural and semi-urban stretches like those in Havering, sudden encounters with deer or escaped pets can lead to swerves, crashes, or direct impacts. Mr Rosindell argued that the Government’s Road Safety Strategy statement on Thursday ignored this interplay, despite evidence that such incidents contribute to accidents nationwide.

The coverage emphasises that addressing roadkill through updated legislation could mitigate these dangers, protecting equestrians who share roads with livestock and wildlife. By framing it as a safety imperative, Rosindell positions animal welfare as integral to human-centric policies.

Why Was Animal Safety Omitted from the Road Safety Strategy?

The Government’s Road Safety Strategy statement, released on Thursday, contained “no mention” of animal-related issues, prompting Mr Rosindell’s sharp rebuke. As detailed in The Havering Daily, this oversight in the lead-up to the Road Safety Bill has fuelled calls for reconsideration.

Mr Rosindell urged ministers to “think carefully about animals” in the Bill, criticising the narrow focus on human protection alone. The article attributes this directly to the MP, noting his insistence that road safety measures must extend comprehensively.

Critics like Rosindell argue this gap perpetuates a cycle of preventable deaths, both animal and human. The Havering Daily reports frame the strategy’s silence as a missed opportunity, especially in constituencies like Romford where wildlife abounds.

How Should the Road Traffic Act 1988 Be Updated?

Directly addressing legislative reform, Mr Rosindell declared:

“The Road Traffic Act 1988 should be updated to protect cats, household pets and wildlife.”

This precise call to action, as quoted in The Havering Daily, targets outdated provisions ill-equipped for modern traffic volumes and pet ownership trends.

Updating the Act could involve mandatory reporting of collisions, wildlife corridors, or speed restrictions in high-risk zones. Rosindell’s emphasis on cats and pets reflects their prevalence as road victims, often straying from homes.

The MP’s proposal aligns with his vision for holistic safety:

“The Government must act to ensure the roads are safer for both humans and the creatures that share our communities.”

The Havering Daily coverage presents this as a blueprint for lawmakers.

What Makes Havering Particularly Vulnerable?

Havering’s landscape amplifies risks, with fallow deer herds in Havering-atte-Bower, Noak Hill, and Harold Hill “always at risk from being killed or injured on our local roads,” per Mr Rosindell’s statement reported by The Havering Daily. These areas blend urban edges with green spaces, creating collision hotspots.

Local roads see frequent wildlife crossings, endangering drivers and animals alike. Rosindell’s focus on these sites calls for borough-specific measures within national policy.

Residents and riders in Havering stand to benefit most from reforms, as the MP’s advocacy brings parliamentary attention to grassroots concerns. The coverage underscores this as a model for other deer-prone regions.

What Is the Broader Context of Rosindell’s Campaign?

Mr Rosindell’s tenure includes banning live exports, a fight he led as an animal abuse scourge. The Havering Daily positions his roadkill stance as a continuation, blending compassion with pragmatism.

“Road safety measures must extend beyond protecting people alone,”

he asserted, broadening the welfare-safety nexus. No other sources contradict or expand this, affirming the story’s focus.

His urgent plea targets the Road Safety Bill, urging immediate Government response. This sustained effort cements Rosindell’s profile in animal politics.

What Next Steps Does Rosindell Propose?

Rosindell demands the Government weave animal protections into the Road Safety Bill, as per his direct quotes in The Havering Daily. He calls for thoughtful policy-making to avert further tragedies.

Parliamentary debate could follow, with Havering as a case study. Stakeholders, from wildlife groups to drivers, await action.

The MP’s neutral, fact-based critique invites cross-party support, prioritising evidence over ideology. Coverage anticipates this as a catalyst for change.