HIGHWAY chiefs have been accused of waiting for another tragedy before acting over road fears in the New Forest.

The claim was made by some of the 150 residents who attended a public meeting last night following the death of pensioner Frank Harrison, who was killed crossing the A326 at Dibden Purlieu in January.

Speakers urged the county council to provide pedestrians with a bridge, an underpass or a pelican crossing to prevent another death.

However, Peter Bayless, the authority's chief engineer traffic management and road safety, said there was no easy solution.

He doubted that everyone would use a bridge or an underpass and added: "Accidents can and do happen on pedestrian crossings. Drivers don't always stop when the lights turn red."

His remarks resulted in an angry retort from Irene Plascott, who earlier this year raised a 4,600-signature petition calling for improvements to the A326.

She said: "Your policies are barbaric and outdated. Why wait for another death before you do something positive?"

Other speakers included Councillor David Smith, chairman of Hythe and Dibden Parish Council and Kenneth Swain, of Noads Way, Dibden Purlieu, who was one of Mr Harrison's neighbours.

He said: "The New Forest is a huge recreational area that is separated from the Waterside by a dangerous road. Do we have to wait for someone else to be killed before something is done?"

Former Dibden Purlieu resident Paul Vickers, who successfully campaigned against plans for a huge container port at Dibden Bay, expressed similar views.

He said: "People don't want a 'do nothing' situation."

Parish councillor George Dawson was one of several speakers who said the campaign for a crossing started long before Mr Harrison was killed.

He added: "It's a disgrace that we are sitting here tonight. Action should have been taken years ago."

Hythe county councillor Brian Dash said: "We have been wrestling with this for some years and it just got worse. The Waterside should not be isolated from the Forest."

Mr Bayless said the accident involving Mr Harrison was the only one that had taken place at that location in the past five years.

However, he pledged that the county council would look at the best options for improving safety, including a possible reduction in the speed limit.