CAMPAIGNERS in a Hampshire town say pedestrians are being hurt and the foundations of listed buildings are being shaken – and they want action.

Fordingbridge Society is calling on three authorities to stop the danger and congestion caused by heavy traffic on the town’s High Street.

Residents have a few weeks to sign a petition calling on the authorities to put an end to the traffic misery.

The society says something must be done about lorries, buses and vans that trundle along the town’s narrow streets and illegally parked cars that blight the lives of those who live and work in the town.

And the situation will worsen if plans to build 100 houses near Whitsbury get the go-ahead, members say.

The society has launched a petition to put pressure on Fordingbridge Town Council, New Forest District Council and Hampshire County Council.

Society president Dr Edgar Moss said: “It is horrific when you get two lorries trying to pass each other on the High Street. They can’t pass each other without mounting the pavement and, even when they just scrape past, people have been hurt by wing mirrors.

“Added to this nearly all the houses along the High Street are listed and the foundations shake with the high number of large lorries.

“These HGVs are coming from and going to somewhere, but we don’t know where. They should find a different route. With the forthcoming Whitsbury Road development generating even more traffic movement, where will it all go? There needs to be a new road built from Whitsbury to the A338.”

Dr Moss added: “Just recently we have had the Government announcing a £15 billion investment in roads and not a penny of that is allocated to solving the congestion here.

“But until the county and district council get onboard, nothing will be done. I am appealing to everyone in the town to sign this petition.”

In August 2013, a woman was hit on the head by a wing mirror on a lorry as she was walking down Fordingbridge High Street.

Fordingbridge Mayor Malcolm Connolly said: “In the last 12 months the town council has been in constant dialogue with the county and district councils.

“It was through the Forest Journal that the dangers on the High Street were highlighted when a woman was hurt by a passing lorry.

The road is becoming more dangerous because the roads are too narrow for the traffic. They were built for a horses and carts. I personally and the town council fully support Dr Moss’ petition. The whole town is fed up and action needs to be taken.”

To sign the petition go to fordingbridgesoc iety.org.uk.