WORK to get average speed cameras to help reduce animal accidents is progressing with a "clear commitment" shown to fund the project.

Representatives from Hampshire County Council, the Verderers, New Forest District Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, Hampshire Constabulary, Forestry England, and the New Forest National Park Authority, met on Thursday January and have agreed to progress the work underway for average speed cameras on the B3078 Roger Penny Way.

Last year, New Forest District Council and the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire agreed to support a feasibility study after a petition calling for an an average speed camera along the B3078, which was started by commoner Gilly Jones on behalf of New Forest Roads Awareness after a series of animal deaths in December 2020 and January 2021.

Cllr Edward Heron, Leader of New Forest District Council, said: “Since the petition calling for average speed cameras, I have had conversations with our partner organisations, local people, and landowners and we are making progress on plans to address speeding on Roger Penny Way.

"Of course, we all recognise this is a high priority, but it is an unfortunate reality of work of this nature that the sticking point has been money. Having brought us all together, there is now the clear commitment to fund this project and the full support of partners to take forward this important work.”

The New Forest organisations have agreed this work will help inform future options and build upon technical work previously carried out by the New Forest Commoners Defence Association.

The work will consider the legal, ecological and environmental issues as well as technical requirements involved with delivering an average speed camera system.

Cllr Russell Oppenheimer, the Executive Member for Highways Operations at Hampshire County Council, added: “Forest animal deaths are highly distressing. I agree with the local elected leadership and with the local community that we need to reduce the number of animal deaths caused by motor vehicles.

"Hampshire County Council will now work closely with local partners on a feasibility study looking at the potential for Average Speed Cameras on this stretch of road at Roger Penny Way. In the meantime I urge all drivers to keep their speed below the limit and drive with appropriate caution throughout the New Forest.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Donna Jones said: “I have met with residents, parish councils, the Leader of the New Forest District Council and the Official Verderer regarding the speeding on Roger Penny Way. Local people have expressed their concerns and as their Police and Crime Commissioner I have listened and acted. I am pleased to be supporting the cost of undertaking the feasibility report required to consider all options to make Roger Penny Way safe and prevent more animals from harm and injury.”

New Forest Roads Awareness has also been working with the National Park and the police as part of Operation Mountie – conducting regular speeding operations on Roger Penny Way.

New Forest Commoners Defence Association is also trialling off-road salt licks on the B3078 Roger Penny Way, which aim to move grazing animals away from the road.

The free-roaming animals are owned by commoners who have the right to let their livestock graze the New Forest.

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