New Forest: Half the ponies killed in 2023 died on B3054

The B3054 from Lymington to Dibden has overtaken Roger Penny Way as the most dangerous road for ponies and other free-roaming livestock.

Its unwanted new status has emerged in the latest annual figures from the New Forest Verderers.

During 2023 about a quarter of all accidents involving animals - and half of those resulting in the death of a pony - occurred on the B3054.

Some of the animal accidents in the New Forest are caused by livestock licking freshly laid salt (Image: Forestry England)

In one ten-day period alone four ponies were killed on a one-mile stretch of the road.

The figures also show the total number of animal accidents in the Forest rose from 82 in 2022 to 92 in 2023.

The number of ponies killed was down on 2022 - 27 compared with 34 - but 2023 saw an increase in deaths involving pigs, sheep, and cattle.

Steve Avery, executive director of strategy and planning at the New Forest National Park Authority, said: "It’s extremely disappointing to see a rise in accidents after the numbers have been consistently decreasing.

"Each animal's death is a great loss to its owner and the Forest."

A total of 27 ponies were killed on New Forest roads in 2023. The figure recorded in 2022 was 34 (Image: Forestry England)

The number of hit-and-run collisions is continuing to cause concern. In 2023 18 drivers failed to report accidents to the police within 24 hours, even though they had a legal duty to raise the alarm.

Head agister Jonathan Gerrelli said: "Whilst most people do report an accident at the time, we had a spate in the autumn where several drivers failed to do so."

New Forest Roads Awareness and the Commoners' Defence Association are relaunching the Real New Forest Business Group, which helps firms in the area educate their staff and customers on Forest road safety.

The Association is also putting salt licks on land along Roger Penny Way to deter animals from licking salt deposited on the carriageway.

Drivers are being urged to take extra care when driving across the New Forest, especially in bad weather (Image: New Forest National Park Authority)

The unlit road, which links Cadnam and Fordingbridge, was the scene of a horrific accident on an icy night in December 2020.

Four ponies licking freshly laid salt were killed by a vehicle that was complying with the 40mph limit.

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: "Speed is not always the reason for accidents. Livestock can be on the roads day and night, and the animals are unpredictable.”

Charlotte Belcher, of Forestry England, added: "Everyone travelling through the Forest needs to take extra care, especially at this time of year."