Dead Serious in cutting speed

Calls for the existing 40mph limit in Bramshaw to be reduced were made at a residents' meeting organised by the Dead Serious campaign, which is based at the village post office.

Dead Serious was launched earlier this year after two donkeys were killed in a hit-and-run accident on the Bramshaw to Fordingbridge road. Other animals have also died and more than 500 villagers have signed a petition calling for urgent action to tackle the problem.

Speakers at the meeting said successful moves to cut the number of animal accidents would also make the roads safer for drivers and pedestrians.

Former parish councillor Peter Reynolds said more people would visit the New Forest following its designation as a national park.

He added: "If we can't maintain a safe environment for animals what chance have we got of maintaining a safe environment for people? It's dangerous not to link the two together."

Parish councillor Sue Bennison called for traffic calming measures such as pinch points.

She said: "The problem with this village is that we've got long straight roads. Unless you're prepared to install physical barriers you will never stop traffic flying through the parish."

Other speakers complained about the speed of traffic on the Bramshaw to Nomansland road, which includes a sharp bend where animals tend to congregate.

One woman said: "I'm amazed there hasn't been a major accident with human fatalities."

Parish council chairman Joan Pressey congratulated the Dead Serious campaign led by Brockenhurst College student Stephen Angell, 17, and Matthew Patching.

She said: "Under the law, parish council's aren't allowed to organise campaigns or raise petitions.

"We're delighted that these two lads have done it instead. We're right behind them and will back them every inch of the way."

A county council spokes-man said applications for 30mph speed limits in villages across the county would be considered by the authority on May 30.