A TOP councillor is calling for variable speeds limit signs on the troubled A31 in the New Forest as two accidents yesterday caused yet more snarl ups.

Hampshire County Councillor executive member for environment and chairman of Transport South Hampshire Mel Kendal told the Echo: “I’m really quite concerned about what is happening on the A31 and the economic effect it has on the sub region.”

This week there have been five accidents leading to lengthy delays for drivers, four at the eastern end of the 12-mile New Forest stretch, near Junction One of the M27 and one near Picket Post.

As reported in the Echo on Wednesday, in the first 77 days of the year, police logged 101 incidents, most of which have caused long delays to frustrated drivers.

Recent government cuts have led to the Highways Agency dropping plans for a third lane at Ringwood, one of the accident black spots on a road littered with them.

Campaigners say motorway-style patrols by the Highways Agency are needed.

Cllr Kendal believes improvements are needed there saying: “We need to sweeten up the access in and out of Ringwood for starters.”

Elsewhere he said: “They could put up variable speed limits as they do on the M25 to slow traffic down to 30 or 40mph in what I call the the ‘stop, start, shunt’ areas.

“If we could do that at peak hours that would help as well.”

Another cause for concern is the right turn to the Rufus Stone monument, located just after the bend at the summit of Castle Malwood Hill.

“We’ve had a few problems with that, I and really don’t understand why a right turn is needed there.”

“The Highways Authority has been looking at straightening out that bend for some time, but I suppose it’s lack of funds which is stopping them. But it needs to be done at some time.”

The first of yesterday’s incidents happened at 9.30am westbound near Picket Post when a Romsey woman in her 60s crashed off the carriageway leading to closure of the inside lane for about two hours. Queues were reported at Stoney Cross six miles away.

At 12.15pm a Mercedes van and a Ford Fiesta collided leading to a minor injury and queues back to the M27.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “The Highways Agency is committed to providing safe roads, and we wish to reassure road users we are committed to improving traffic flow and safety on the A31 at Ringwood.”

Nigel Hedges, President of the Bournemouth Chamber of Trade said: “We don’t want anything that stops business coming into and out of the town and the A31 obviously needs sorting out. The most paramount thing though is safety.”