Call for permanent speed cameras on New Forest road following spate of animal accidents

Roger Penny Way, which runs from Cadnam to Godshill, was identified as one of four high-risk routes in March 2019.

Last month's sobering statistics** have cemented the heartbreaking history on the B3078.**

In the space of three weeks, NINE animals were killed.

In one particularly distressing accident on New Year's Eve four ponies died after they were hit by a Land Rover Discovery near Brook.

The animals had been licking freshly laid salt on the route when they were struck.

AVERAGE SPEED CAMERAS

The heartbreaking spate of accidents has led to a renewed call for more to be done to protect livestock and ensure drivers stick to the 40mph limit.

Commoner Gilly Jones who runs the campaign group** New Forest Roads Awareness and is part of the the Animal Accident Reduction Group** has set up a petition calling for average speed cameras to be installed on the route.

The petition says:

"In light of the recent tragic deaths of three donkeys, two sheep and four ponies on the B3078 Roger Penny Way and the history of animal casualties on this route, that the District Council adds its support to calls for the introduction of an Average Speed Camera system on this route."

The idea is for the cameras to be installed at the start and end of Roger Penny Way along with other side roads, as well as one in the middle to monitor the speed of traffic.

More than 800 people have signed so far and Gilly says it's important that the issue is looked at again.

"We know average speed cameras aren't going to solve this problem, we know that but it will at least give everyone a fighting chance. This isn't just about the animals. The guy that hit the four ponies didn't go out with the aim of hitting four animals. He was lucky he was in a very large four by four, if he'd been in a smaller car we could have been looking at a very different story."

SPEED CHECKS

Regular speed checks with mobile cameras are carried out on the route with the results showing many drivers are going too fast.

In one hour last month 46 drivers were caught breaking the limit.

ACCIDENT STATS FOR 2020

Meanwhile stats show across the New Forest National Park there were 105 accidents attended involving livestock last year some involving more than one animal.

50 animals died, including 29 ponies.

There is some positive news, the overall figure has fallen from 2019 when 58 animals lost their lives.

Sadly though there were 15 hit and runs where drivers haven't reported an accident.

One of those involved two sheep, again on Roger Penny Way.

Lisa Calvert stopped to help after spotting the pair in the road close to the turning to Fritham, one died shortly after she pulled up whilst the other which had a broken back and had to be put down by an agister.

"I just don’t know how anyone can live with themselves knowing they left them at the side of the road to suffer."

Three quarters of accidents last year happened in darkness or at twilight.

Ponies often congregrate at the side of the road and have no road sense, often darting out at any time.

If their backs are facing us, the reflective collars that many wear can't be seen until it's potentially too late to stop.

Campaigners say its vital motorists take extra care when ever they cross the New Forest particularly when visibility is poor.

LOCAL MOTORISTS SHOULD KNOW BETTER

Of the accidents where details of the motorist was taken 28 were local, that's defined as living in the New Forest District Council area.

Gilly Jones says that's disappointing

"If you live in the Forest you know it's a blanket 40 mile per hour limit, 30 in the villages. As we keep saying once you cross that cattle grid you WILL encounter stock, it's not maybe or it won't happen to me. One day it might just happen to any one of us, so you have to be aware."

WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT

The message is simple you must report it immediately even if the animal runs off as it could be injured.