ANIMAL owners and campaigners have hit out after a call to fence in thousands of free-roaming animals in the New Forest.

The controversial proposal to “partition” the New Forest was put forward by Cllr Ken Thornber, former leader of Hampshire County Council, who said action was needed to cut the number of animal accidents.

But the idea of fences springing up across the district has caused widespread anger and dismay – even among animal owners.

Critics said barriers would destroy the character of the Forest as well as interfering with the movement of stock – one of the main reasons for which the area is famous.

Often dubbed the largest tract of unenclosed land in the south, it is populated by thousands of ponies, cows and donkeys that freely roam the landscape.

Graham Ferris, chairman of the Commoners’ Defence Association (CDA), which represents animal owners, said: “We would be totally opposed to fences.

“It would cause a massive change in the way the Forest is managed and grazed, causing all sorts of impossible-to-predict consequences.

“At the moment we have a free-ranging, semi-feral herd of ponies that keep the Forest looking the way it does. Fences would divide it into little blocks of land, creating small farm-like populations.”

Sue Westwood, clerk to the New Forest Verderers, added: “I think it’s a non-starter.

“Fences would completely change the look of the Forest - and the financial cost would be phenomenal.

“You’d need underpasses to facilitate the free movement of stock, plus extra cattle grids on side roads - and they cost at least £60,000 each.”

Miss Westwood added that the Forest was common land, which meant the construction of fences would require an Act of Parliament.

But Cllr Thornber’s call for fencing was supported by Michael Cooper, a former chairman of the CDA.

Listing some of the attempts to cut the number of animal accidents in the Forest he said: “None has worked effectively and I’ve reluctantly come to the conclusion that some roads need to be fenced.

“I don’t say that with any great joy. It would partition the Forest and subways would be very expensive.”

Last year 63 animals were killed on Forest roads and 35 injured, a slight increase on the figure recorded in 2015.

Cllr Thornber, who lives in the Forest and represents Brockenhurst on the county council, made his fencing suggestion during a debate about animal accidents.

He told fellow members of the National Park Authority (NPA) that the current 40mph speed limit on all unfenced roads in the district should be cut.

But Nigel Matthews, head of recreation management and learning, said none of the groups that comprised the Animal Accident Reduction Group supported the idea of fencing the roads.

“The free-roaming livestock on the Open Forest is fundamental to the formation of the Forest and ongoing management of the landscape,” he said.

“The overall trend in animal accidents since 1991, when 182 were killed, is downwards.

“Two new initiatives are planned for 2017 - much improved road warning signage and a scheme to encourage local employers to pass safe driving information to their staff.”