Page 24 • The HERALD • 8th December 2022 v INDEPENDENT, LOCAL AND PROUD v Acorn Building Contracts Ltd u Reliable, local builders offering affordable, quality workmanship u Our employees are fully qualified and fully insured u All aspects of building undertaken including extensions, structural alterations, roofing, ground works, kitchens, bathrooms, carpentry and plastering u Drawings arranged u Insurance work undertaken u Local Authority Approved Contractor For free quotations and friendly advice please call Office: 023 8024 3336 Mobile: 07786 656865 Email: acornbuilding@gmail.com or visit our website: www.acorn-builders.co.uk You will not be disappointed All General Plumbing • Boiler Installations • Boiler Breakdowns • Gas Appliance Servicing • Central Heating Repairs 023 8089 9300 07917 445369 petertarr1@hotmail.co.uk Reg: 3515993 PETERTARR Gas, Plumbing & Heating A.M.H. Handyman Services Internal & External Painting All aspects of DIY Work • Flat Pack Assembly Power Washing: Driveways, Patios, Paths & Decking Gutter, Fascia Boards & Window Cleaning (Bungalows only) Call or email Andy for a free estimate Tel: 07961 443623 handyandyharding@gmail.com Local and Reliable Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from everyone at The Herald PLEA TO DRIVERS TO PASS ANIMALS WIDE AND SLOW ON NEW FOREST ROADS As the hours of darkness get longer, New Forest organisations who make up the Animal Accident Reduction Group are reminding drivers on Forest roads to take extra care and remember to ‘Pass Wide and Slow’ when encountering ponies and other animals. e call follows the o cial inclusion of this requirement in the latest edition of the Highway Code. e winter months have historically been the worst for livestock and wildlife fatalities. Following a record breaking 15 weeks in early 2022 without a fatal road tra c accident, group members would like to ask the public for their cooperation and support in keeping these numbers down. To date this year there have been 60 call outs to accidents involving animals compared to 77 in the same period last year, with 24 ponies, one cow and two pigs losing their lives. Another 16 animals have been injured (numbers correct as at 1st November 2022). One of the great successes is ‘Operation Mountie’, a joint initiative which has seen 17 operations over the past year. Police and partner organisations have stopped 155 speeding vehicles, one of which was driving at 70mph in a 40mph area. Some of those stopped are given tickets or other enforcements, and others are given education about driving to the conditions. Hampshire Police, working with New Forest agencies, has been running Operation Mountie since November 2021 following evidence from the New Forest Roads Awareness and Community Speed Watch groups on high-risk routes. Police Sergeant Carl Peverill who began Operation Mountie said: “I would like to acknowledge the fantastic work by all our partners – including Forestry England, New Forest National Park Authority and dedicated volunteers at the New Forest Roads Awareness group. This multi-agency approach has been key to reducing the animal casualties and improving safety on New Forest roads. during hours of darkness and in poor weather. Remember, a speed limit is exactly that – a limit. Not a target.” Education is given to those drivers who are pulled over by members of New Forest Roads Awareness, the Verderers, Forestry England, NFDC and the New Forest National Park Authority. Each driver is also given advice on what to do if they witness or are involved in an accident. Gilly Jones from New Forest Roads Awareness said: “The education we have been offering drivers has been well received. Not only are we reminding people of the consequences of speeding, but also things to look out for when driving on Forest roads throughout the year including foal season, stallions, pannage when pigs are let out on the Forest or unpredictable behaviours when deer are rutting. It is surprising that many people don’t know that the livestock are owned and have the right of way on the roads. This unique way of working means most people we pull over thank us and leave better informed on how to keep animals and themselves safe on Forest roads.” e Hit and Run Reward Scheme, run by the Verderers, pays up to £5,000 to any witness who provides information which leads to the successful prosecution of a driver who fails to report an accident with a commoners’ animal. Sue Westwood, Clerk to the Verderers, said: “The figures show a welcome, albeit small reduction, in accidents but the worst time of year is approaching. Please slow down when passing animals on the verge and give them a wide berth, especially when it is dark, foggy or raining or you are blinded by oncoming headlights or a low sun. Expect the animals to walk out in front of you; they have no road sense.” She added: “Remember the speed limit is exactly that - a limit. Drive to the conditions. A collision will significantly slow your journey, assuming you can continue at all. Colliding with a large animal can do a Our partners have played a vital role in educating drivers which we have stopped, warning them of the dangers of travelling at high speeds and the impact that road collisions can have on both animals and the vehicles. Driving conditions throughout the year change and can have a significant impact on Forest roads especially Operation Mountie (Photo Credit Forestry England) Continued on page 25
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTIyNzI=