THE number of New Forest animal fatalities seems to be up this year. Could this be in some degree due to the ditches installed last autumn?

These were put in to save verge erosion by parking cars, rather than for drainage. (Although there has been a considerable improvement to flooding on at least one road.) The problem with the bank/ditch combination is that animals can no longer stroll across the roads at will – something that the sensible driver will be anticipating – but must take a flying leap, possibly directly into the path of said vehicle. Assuming that it achieves this safely, the animal may then get stuck on the road while it gears itself up for another leap over the further ditch leading it back to the safety of the Forest, where it is vulnerable to further danger.

ROGER BAKER, Blackfield.