Herald - Issue 416

9th December 2021 • The HERALD • Page 69 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v AUTOPAT A Family Business Established since 1982 PROMPT & EFFICIENT v Servicing v Mechanical Repairs v MOT’s - Petrol & Diesel v Air Conditioning Service Unit 3, Hardley Ind. Est., Hythe 023 8084 0163 VAUXTECH LOCAL GARAGE Tel: 023 8086 9496 Unit 5, New Forest Enterprise Centre, Totton, Southampton SO40 9LA LOCAL GARAGE EST 23 YEARS • Servicing & Repairs • MOT’s (arranged) • Brakes • Clutches • Tyres • Air Conditioning • Collection & Delivery Locally Friendly & Reliable Onsite Café Facilities All Makes & Models Prepare to Stop for Forest Animals this Winter With darker nights drivers are warned to always be prepared to stop for New Forest animals. November and December are the deadliest months for New Forest livestock as days become shorter and clocks go back with most accidents taking place between 5pm and 10pm on weekdays and involving local commuters. Forest organisations are appealing to road users to expect the unexpected and remember that animals have right of way on unfenced New Forest roads. In 2019, 58 animals were killed and a further 32 were injured whereas in 2020, when tra c was reduced by COVID-19 restrictions, 50 animals were killed and a further 21 were injured. While speed is a major contributing factor to animal accidents, driving to the road and weather conditions can be just as important. Low light in winter, dazzling oncoming headlights and bad weather can make visibility extremely poor. Last year’s accident gures were the lowest on record, but this year the roads are due to be busier as more people are driving to and from work. How drivers can help: • Be ready to stop – animals can step out even when they’ve seen you approaching. • Drive slowly, especially in the dark – there is a pool of darkness behind the headlights of approaching cars and an animal may be standing in it. • Give animals grazing by the side of the road a wide berth – cross to the other side of the road and be prepared to STOP if there is on-coming tra c. • Grazing animals on both sides of the road? Take extra care – they may cross to join their friends. • One animal by the roadside means there are others close by – be aware. • Bends and tops of hills need more care – animals may be standing in the road just out of sight. • Re ective collars worn by some ponies may help you see them in the dark – but be aware that not all ponies have them. • Deer can easily jump the fences alongside roads such as the A337, A31 and A35 – and when there is one deer more will usually follow. • Be animal aware at all times. Most of the drivers involved in animal accidents are relatively local people on regular trips. e high-risk routes have been identi ed as the: • B3078/79 from Cadnam to Godshill. • B3054 from Lymington to Dibden Purlieu. • B3055 from Brockenhurst to Sway. the New Forest, New Forest National Park Authority, New Forest District Council, Hampshire County Council, Hampshire Constabulary, New Forest Trust, New Forest Association and British Deer Society and Animal Accident Road Awareness. If you do have an accident involving a pony, cow, donkey, pig or sheep you are required by law to report it to the police by ringing 999 as soon as possible. A reward of up to £5,000 is o ered for information leading to the successful conviction of drivers prosecuted for failing to stop and report an accident involving a Forest animal. e number of commoners’ animals killed and injured has almost halved in the last 20 years. Sadly though, high numbers of accidents continue to happen. Find out all the latest initiatives and animal accident data on the New Forest National Park Authority website: www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/animalaccidents • C10 from Picket Post to Holmsley. e New Forest’s Animal Accident Reduction Group has spearheaded a range of measures including police mobile speed cameras on the most dangerous routes and re ective warning signs on key roads during the winter months when accidents peak. eGroup is supported by theNewForest Commoners Defence Association, Forestry England, Verderers of Animals on the road - Copyright Russell Sach Even Santa can face troubles with his transport. A er an MOT of the Fire Engine which transports him around the Waterside, it was agged up that the engine needed 4 new rear tyres. is was a job beyond both Santa and his elves xing abilities and a very expensive job at that. Luckily at the Hythe of Activity event, his volunteers came across a lovely lady from the Didben Allotments Fund. She suggested that an application could be made to the Dibden Allotments for funding for the tyres. Santa was thrilled when the application was successful and the Dibden Allotment fund generously covered the cost of the 4 new tyres. Now with his new wheels ready, the elves can focus on the nal preparations and Santa can be safely back on the road. e Waterside Christmas Fire Engine started its rounds on 4th December. Santa is looking forward to seeing you all, but please remember to keep safe distances. For all live updates visit Waterside Christmas Fire Engine facebook page: www.facebook. com/watersidechristmasengine or just listen out for the music! @WatersideChristmasEngine Santa’s Wheels are Saved by the Dibden Allotments Fund!