ROAD safety issues in the New Forest will be at the forefront of many voters’ minds when they go to the polls on Thursday.

The Forest has an unusually high number of fatal accidents, most of which occur on the two main roads either side of the district.

Candidates are vowing to take action on road-related issues, if elected, after being lobbied by residents anxious about the area’s safety record.

The noise and speed of traffic is among the issues raised on doorsteps every time would-be councillors hit the canvassing trail.

Last year saw a spate of collisions on the A326, one of which involved biker Terry Stubbs and his 13-year-old stepdaughter, Channon Kevern.

Hampshire County Council has recently lowered the speed limit and closed lay-bys in response to a major campaign by the Southampton Motor Cycle Action Group.

Campaigners say the other road with a high death toll – the A338 – should be given the same amount of attention.

The high number of accidents involving ponies that roam the Forest is also causing concern.

Brockenhurst residents have formed an action group following the revelation that 40 ponies have been killed or injured on Burley Road in the past five years.

Villagers are calling for traffic calming measures and better enforcement of the speed limit.

Other road-related issues in the Forest include the noise nuisance caused by HGVs going to and from industrial estates in residential areas. Problem areas include Marchwood, where protesters staged a meeting in the village hall recently to voice their anger at lorries rumbling through the parish.

HGVs are also causing problems in nearby Totton, where truckers are using High Street and other residential roads to reach Eling Quay.

The authority is also being asked to monitor lorry movements in the Ringwood Road and Salisbury Road areas.