Civic chiefs have demanded a meeting with the Transport Secretary to crackdown on speed of the drivers on the notorious A31.

It comes as police stepped up their hunt for a hit and run driver involved in crash which killed a 16-year-old girl.

Last night councillors called on the Highways Agency to reclassify the A31 at Ringwood as an urban road in a bid to get the speed limit cut to 50mph.

The town council voted to write to the agency rejecting its claim that there is no reason to impose a 50mph speed limit between Picket Post and the Ashley Heath roundabout, and recommending reclassification.

Cllr Michael Thierry said: “There can hardly be ten yards of the road in three miles which hasn’t seen an accident. Ringwood residents need to use that road to go anywhere else, it is not just for people travelling long journeys.”

Cllr Jeremy Heron reminded the council of the death of 16-year-old Jade Clark on Sunday evening.

The former Ringwood School girl was riding her scooter when she was involved ina crash which closed the road for 18 hours.

Yesterday police revealed they are hunting a hit a run driver who was involved in the crash.

DCllr Heron also urged residents to support the council by writing to local MP Desmond Swayne.

The council also voted to request Hampshire County Council carry out a review of signs along the same stretch of the road, and look into yellow box markings at the junction with the A338.

They welcomed proposals from the Highways Agency for “merge ahead” signs and bridge signs, and called for the costs to be produced for town councillors to consider.

They also agreed to request a meeting with Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin.

Chairman Councillor Steve Rippon Swaine said after the vote: “The council is not prepared to sit on the response we had back from Highways. We are hoping to get a response back by Monday.”

POLICE STEP UP HUNT FOR HIT AND RUN DRIVER - CLICK HERE