A CONTROVERSIAL traffic-calming scheme in the New Forest has been scaled down – despite achieving a 25 per cent cut in animal deaths.

A third of the chicanes installed at Burley Road, Brockenhurst, have been removed following complaints that they pose a danger to people using the twisting cross-country route.

They were installed at the request of Brockenhurst county councillor Ken Thornber and have been dubbed 'Ken’s Bends' by critics of the scheme.

Now three of the nine obstacles aimed at cutting traffic speed have been ripped out in a bid to placate the objectors.

The chicanes were installed five years ago following a campaign by the South Weirs Action Group (SWAG), which staged a protest march through the village, claiming 40 ponies had been killed or badly injured on the unlit road in five years.

Cllr Thornber told the Daily Echo there had been a spate of near accidents involving drivers failing to give way to oncoming traffic but, despite some criticism, he believed the majority wanted the chicanes to stay.

A SWAG spokesman said that the scheme had been a success, with animal deaths down 25 per cent.

Parish councillor Harry Oram added: “Tourism depends on grazing and as far as I’m concerned the animals have right of way,” said Cllr Oram.

But Brockenhurst resident Allan Hendry has repeatedly called for the chicanes to be removed, describing the large wooden posts with kerbstone edging as “dangerous obstructions”.