CAMPAIGNERS are demanding action after four New Forest ponies were killed on the same stretch of road in one eight-day period.

Animal lovers are calling for speed reduction measures on the B3078 Cadnam to Godshill road - one of the worst routes in the Forest for collisions involving ponies and donkeys.

Three of the ponies killed in the latest spate of accidents were owned by Kay Harrison, of Bramshaw.

As reported in the Daily Echo, a mare was killed outright in a collision with a car and her foal had to be put down after suffering a broken leg in the same incident.

Today the Daily Echo can reveal that another animal belonging to Miss Harrison was killed five days later.

And a third accident occurred on the B3078 on Tuesday evening. A pony suffered two broken legs and had to be shot by one of the agisters.

Now New Forest Roads Campaign (NFRC) is seeking a reduction in the 40mph speed limit, more police checks and the use of average speed cameras.

NFRC founder Will Day said: “The B3078 is an extremely fast road - cars are bombing along there at way over the speed limit.

“We don’t think fencing is a good idea - it would change the appearance of the New Forest.

We’d like the Forest to stay as it is - we just want drivers to go a little slower.”

Fellow campaigner Gilly Jones added: “The B3078 has long suffered from incidents but what’s happened in the past few days is beyond belief.”

Shocking images of ponies lying dead beside the road have been posted on social media in a bid to encourage drivers to take more care.

The cars involved in the collisions were badly damaged but the drivers are said to have been unhurt.

More than a third of all animal accidents in the district take place on just three roads, including the B3078.

Speaking after the first incident involving her animals Miss Harrison said: “We love our animals - and there’s nothing nicer than seeing them out on the open forest.

“We are trying our hardest to educate people. We have all got to work together to try to find a solution.”

A police speed camera van has often been deployed on the B3078 in the past three years and is expected to return in the future.

However, power supply problems and other issues mean average speed cameras are unlikely to be used.

Sue Westwood, clerk to the Verderers, said: “We have fully investigated the use of average speed cameras in collaboration with the police and the Commoners’ Defence Association.

“Due to constraints on technology it’s simply not possible to install them on that route, so the speed camera van is the next best option.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesman was unavailable for comment.

What do you think? Would you support a speed limit cut, or more cameras? Please get in touch.