Herald - Issue 418

Page 64 • The HERALD • 27th January 2022 v THE HERALD - Proud to be part of your community v Long established family business • MOT TESTING • SERVICE & REPAIR FOR ALL MAKES AND MODELS • CLUTCHES • DIAGNOSTICS • CAMBELTS • SERVICE TO MANUFACTURERS SPECIFICATION • FREE COLLECTION & DELIVERY • USED CAR SALES 128-132 Calmore Road, Totton. SO40 8GQ 023 8086 4424 www.calmoreservicestation.co.uk 145 Long Lane, Holbury SO45 2NZ Tel: 023 8024 3300 NOWOPEN SUNDAYS FROM 10AM-2PM FOR ALL YOUR MOTORING NEEDS LOCALLY • Free fit batteries (most cars) • Free fit wiper blades • Battery chargers • Oils • Braking • Service parts • Tools/tool hire • Car paints • Engine management diagnostics/reset • Towing accessories • Number plates • Exhaust systems • Steering/suspension • Haynes manuals W: www.cobramotorcomponents.co.uk E: sales@cobramotorcomponents.co.uk extremely poor and may impede your view of the road ahead. How drivers can help: • On a diversion follow any o cial signs set by Hampshire Highways and not a satellite navigation. If you do have to use the unfenced roads please: • 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 or crossing the road. • Give animals grazing by the side of the road a wide berth – move over 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. e New Forest’s Animal Accident Reduction Group has asked for a range of further measures on the most dangerous routes and additional warning signs on key roads during these winter months when accidents peak. Hampshire Police are constantly carrying out speed checks either with radar guns or the Police camera van - part funded by the Verderers of the New Forest. e Group is supported by the New Forest Commoners Defence Association, Forestry England, Verderers of 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 New Forest Roads Awareness. e deadliest months for New Forest livestock are in winter, with most accidents taking place between 5pm and 10pm on weekdays and involving commuters. If drivers divert from the o cial detours onto unfenced Forest roads, a spike in animal accident deaths may well result. 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. Forest organisations are appealing to road users to expect the unexpected and remember that animals have right of way on unfenced New Forest roads. The New Forest National Park Authority’s Executive Director, Steve Avery said: “If you do travel on the unfenced roads, please take extra care and always be prepared to stop for New Forest animals. Animals do not have any road sense so may step out in front of you even if you think they have seen you. Other road users might be unfamiliar with the roads so may well be nervous and travel slower, so please allow extra time for your journey. Please be patient and don’t overtake unless you can clearly see the road ahead and any animals which may be grazing on the verges.” Driving to the road and weather conditions is just as important as keeping to the speed limit. When the roads are freezing, stopping distances will be increased and animals are drawn to the road to lick the salt. Low light in winter, dazzling oncoming headlights and bad weather can make visibility Plea To New Forest Drivers During Winter Months Ponies licking the salt on the road (Copyright Russell Sach) e club meets every month at the Dibden Golf Centre. Members get together for a co ee followed by an interesting talk from a guest speaker and then sit down for a two course lunch. Talks for Spring 2022 have been booked. February’s talk is titled ‘Tales of a Roving Reporter’, anecdotes from the unfortunate experiences of a radio reporter. In March the talk is called ‘Fields, Fergies and Fairs’. If these talks are of interest to you why not become a member of the Waterside Probus Club. Talks on a wide range of topics are being arranged for the rest of 2022. For more information email the Club Secretary at: watersideprobus@ outlook.com The Waterside Probus Club Announces its Spring Programme