4:28pm Tuesday 7th October 2008
By Julian Robinson
“WHY has it taken a tragedy to make our voices heard?”
That is the question being asked by villagers grieving over the death of Hampshire schoolboy Aarron Keeping.
The New Forest community of Bransgore is still in shock after the cricket-mad 12-year-old was killed in a collision at a busy crossroads last week.
Parish councillors say they have been campaigning for more than a decade to improve the notorious junction between Burley Road and Ringwood Road.
And they claim that requests for safety measures have been turned down in the past because there had been no fatalities – though a 30mph speed limit is due to replace the current 40mph limit in Burley Road by the end of this financial year.
Aarron’s cousin, Claire Lockyer – also a member of Bransgore Parish Council – said it was time highways chiefs took action.
She said: “We’ve actually been trying for years to get something done about the crossroads there. We had a traffic management meeting last year and things were discussed about what improvements could be made.
“But it’s already too late. I can imagine the parishioners of Bransgore will be trying all ways to get something done.”
Aarron, who lived in Burnt House Lane with parents Freda and Martin, was with a friend heading towards the village recreation ground when the collision happened last Tuesday.
Since then, tearful friends and relatives have left floral tributes and messages of condolence at the scene.
Members of Bransgore Residents’ Association have already renewed calls for changes to the junction.
Parish council suggestions rejected in the past by Hampshire County Council had included a mini roundabout, slower speed limits and traffic lights.
Mel Kendal, the council’s executive member for environment sent his “deepest sympathies” to Aarron’s family. He added: “We try very hard to make our roads as safe as possible and take positive action to address any trouble spots.
“Improvements to signing and road markings in Bransgore were made some years ago resulting in a significant reduction in injury accidents.
“Until police have concluded their investigations however, we are unable to comment specifically on this particular case. Before this recent tragedy, no injury accidents had been recorded since September 2005.
£The Casualty Reduction Partnership will be considering the police findings of course, as part of the ongoing assessment of all locations where serious accidents have occurred.”
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