Verderers in support for New Forest 30mph limit

The call for the reduction of the limit from 40mph on unfenced roads was made at the May Verderers’ Court at Lyndhurst by the New Forest Commoners’ Defence Association, an organisation which looks after the interests of those who own the cattle and ponies that roam the forest.

Spokesman Mike Eccles was looking for the backing of the verderers, and he got it.

Following discussions in committee, official verderer Oliver Crosthwaite Eyre came down firmly on the side of a reduction in the 40 limit, which has been in place forest-wide since 1992.

He said: “Having a universal speed limit of 30mph across the whole of the forest makes very good sense.

“The government's own statistics show that the 10mph difference between 30 and 40 hugely reduces the risk of accidents.

“Another benefit would be the removal of the multitude of ugly and rather pointless new signs that have had to be erected all over the forest because of the different speed limits in most of our villages, sometimes only yards apart.

“All of the forest's organisations agree that we should reduce animal accidents and unnecessary signposts, and this excellent idea deals with both.”

Stuart Reynolds, Hampshire County Council's assistant director of environment with responsibility for highways and transport, said: “Recently, the county council introduced 30mph limits across the Hampshire under the Village 30 scheme.

“Virtually every village in the New Forest that applied for 30mph limits under the scheme has had or is getting a reduction in speed limit to 30mph.

“Any move to put in new speed limits on other roads in the New Forest would need to be carefully considered in the context of other factors and constraints and involve extensive consultation with many organisations including the National Park Authority.

“A limit of 40mph on roads of this type is comparable with that of other national parks – Dartmoor for example.”