ROAD safety chiefs in the New Forest have called for fences to be built beside busy routes to slash the number of animal deaths.

Members of the New Forest Road Safety Council said fencing should be put up near accident blackspots to reduce the "carnage" taking place on roads.

Former Hampshire County Council chairman Alan Rice said more than 100 ponies were being killed in the Forest every year.

He called for experimental fences to be built beside roads where large numbers of ponies were knocked down, often in hit-and-run incidents.

"Not doing something to protect these delightful animals would be a dereliction of our duty," said Councillor Rice.

"One of the problems is that drivers often don't report accidents because they have been drinking. Badly injured ponies are left to die."

Ernie Sage, representing the county surveyor's department, said fencing could prove useful "at certain locations".

Road safety council chairman Pat Wyeth said: "I think eventually it will be the only answer on highways with a high animal accident toll."

Blackfield councillor Barbara Maynard said: "Some roads are particularly dangerous - including the approach to Hatchet Pond, near Beaulieu.

However, members agreed to consult the Commoners' Defence Association (CDA) before deciding whether they should formally press for fencing to be built beside selected roads.

The issue of animal accidents was raised at this week's Court of Verderers in Lyndhurst.

Latest figures show that 73 animals were killed or injured between January 1 and September 30 - two more than in the same period last year.

Major roads in the Forest are already fenced, but ponies are free to wander across all routes covered by a 40mph speed limit.

Calls for fencing in 40mph zones have been opposed on the grounds that barriers would change the Forest's character.