HIGHWAY chiefs have rejected calls to cut the speed limit on a busy commuter route following more than 60 accidents in three years.

New Forest councillors met to discuss the safety record of the A31 agreed to press for the 70mph limit to be reduced to 50mph between Ringwood and Picket Post.

But their plea was turned down just hours later by the Highways Agency, which said it had no intention of lowering the limit.

An agency spokesman said: “We have looked into the causes of accidents on the A31. There are a number of factors involved and speed is not one of them.

“We will be talking to our partners about other measures we can take to address the problem.”

His comments echoed those of Hampshire Police, who say most of the accidents on the A31 are caused by people driving too close to the vehicle in front, braking too sharply and failing to judge the speed of other motorists.

In the past three years the A31 has seen 63 crashes, resulting in two deaths and 96 injuries.

One of the fatalities was breakdown recovery driver Terry Booth, who was helping a stranded motorist when he was in collision with a passing vehicle.

Mr Booth, 58, of Ferndown, Dorset, was killed at Poulner Hill, Ringwood, in June.

In October former Ringwood mayor Michael Thierry tabled a motion urging the district council to press for the existing limit on the A31 to be reduced.

He said: “Our role must always be to represent the people we serve and this arises from the concerns of the people of Ringwood.

“There have been a significant number of accidents ranging from minor to fatal. There are many more accidents on that stretch of the dual carriageway where folk simply exchange details before driving off.”

Cllr Thierry’s call for a lower limit was backed at this week’s meeting of the council’s ruling Cabinet. Members agreed to ask the Highways Agency to introduce a package of safety measures, including a 50mph limit.

The A31 is one of the major routes to and from the West Country. Chris Treleaven, spokesman on planning and transport, said new safety measures must be in place before the London Olympics in 2012.

The road will be a vital link from London for the sailing events in Weymouth.