MORE stringent measures are being taken to slow down traffic through a New Forest village where young schoolboy Aarron Keeping lost his life last year.

The popular Ringwood School student, who was also a keen cricket player, was killed on September 30 last year after a collision with a car outside the Crown Inn at Bransgore.

Since his tragic death, Bransgore Parish Council, along with the wholehearted support of local residents, restarted its campaign for improvements at the staggered crossroads.

A 30mph limit was introduced in August to slow the traffic often using the route from the Cat and Fiddle to Ringwood Road as a rat run.

And last week, Bransgore Parish Council met with officers from Hampshire County Council to discuss the latest measures, which include anti-skid surfacing and hatching markings at the approaches to the junction.

Parish council chairman, Ann Hickman, said: “Everyone is really pleased with the plans. It is over a year since Aarron was killed but we have been battling for 20 or 30 years to do something.

“It is just tragic that it had to take Aarron’s death to get action.”

But Aarron’s mother, Freda Keeping said: “I don’t think they are going to make much difference. Something more drastic is needed, like traffic lights to make it safer down there.

“Obviously any improvements to slow down the traffic and make that junction safer will be better than nothing. I know they are going to be reviewing the work so it will be interesting to see what effect they have.”

Hampshire County councillor Mel Kendal, executive member for environment, added: “Earlier this year we took steps to improve safety at the junction near to the Crown Inn at Bransgore.

“Last week a further set of measures was proposed to the Parish Council who, in turn, approved them. We will also be enhancing two pedestrian crossing points – one on Ringwood Road and the other on Burley Road.

“Additionally, pinch points will be added to the Burley Road, which should also serve to reduce vehicle speeds at that junction.”