Carnage warning over A31 fencing

4:26am Sunday 22nd June 2008

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ANIMALS breaking through poorly repaired fencing could cause carnage along one of Hampshire's busiest dual carriageways.

That's the stark warning from Commoners in the New Forest who fear "unacceptable"

barrier inspections on the A31 could soon result in driver fatalities.

They claim posts have been erected too far apart at Picket Post meaning livestock could push its way through slack fencing and into the path of fast moving traffic.

Michael Cooper of New Forest Commoner's Defence Association made his concerns clear at the Verderers' Court in Lyndhurst.

He said: "Some repairs have been carried out, but in our opinion are sub-standard as the posts are too far apart, leaving the wire in between to be put under extreme pressure from our inquisitive animals.

"I think it would be fair to say that it will not just be animals with broken legs that the emergency services will be dealing with."

He added that inspection and maintenance needed to be increased - especially where undergrowth had encroached through the fencing.

Afterwards he told the Daily Echo that animals finding their way on to the road could lead to "carnage" on the roads and even cause driver deaths.

A Highway Agency spokesman said it was taking Commoners' concerns seriously, but that other groups had responsibility for maintenance too.

He said: "We met the Verderers recently to discuss fencing issues in the New Forest, but we were not aware of any problems with fencing at Picket Post until today.

"Hampshire County Council, the Highways Agency and other land occupiers have a responsibility to maintain parts of the fencing.

"At Picket Post, some parts of the fencing we maintain is designed to be stock-proof and also forms the boundary between the carriageway and the adjacent land.

"We will now carry out a site investigation to establish which fencing is of concern to the Verderers, and if it is the Highways Agency's responsibility we will repair it to the stockproof standard."