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E-mails, letters and comments received.

Following below, are over thirty often erudite and eloquent letters pointing out the dangers and other problems of ken's bends. But they are almost summarised by this beautiful two-liner in the Lymington Times on 18th December, 2010.

But anyway, here are all the others:

From Ian Smail,

Dear Mr Henry,
Last night I was driving to dinner in Armstrong Road. I was not aware of the recent construction of kerbs and bollards, which now adorn the Burley road.
As I approached the obstruction I was confronted by a 4x4  vehicle which lurched into the middle of the road, its lights temporarily blinding me. I swerved and braked , unaware of the obstruction and totally unsighted. How I missed the obstruction, I will never know. My tyres bumped the kerb and I was left very shaken.
It is my belief that these obstructions will cause a serious accident, sooner rather than later. I am a Chartered Civil Engineer and regard my opinion as learned rather than emotional. It is a real possibility that  human life will be lost, if these obstructions are not removed.
Similar obstructions at the entrance to Pennington Village work well because they are directionally prioritised and LIT by street lights. Neither of these attributes apply in the Burley Road.
Given that they are in the "Forest", they border on Eco-Vandalism. There are hundreds of miles of roads in the Forest. Why has this stretch of road been given this brutal approach?
I wish you well in your protestations. Ian Smail, C Eng

From Dr Bernard Bedford of Armstrong Road, Brockenhurst.

Brilliant correspondance, I fully agree, especially the danger to cyclists and m/c riders who are now pushed into the road in front of oncoming traffic, at their peril. Since motorists often don't give way to cyclists at roundabouts why should they give way at these obstructions?
You haven't mentioned flooding, which was my first thought. Burley Road floods, not too much of a problem in the day, but very difficult to drive along at night due to the near absence of lighting. The unlit posts sticking up will give a bit of guidance, but the obstruction sticks out beyond the posts and will be dangerous to anyone who doesn't know the road and doesn't appreciate the additional underwater obstruction, no matter what they are driving or riding.
Well done. Best wishes, Bern Bedford.

From Adam Beevers

Hi there,
I recently noticed these pinch points both in Brockenhurst highstreet and the "Ten bends" road heading towards Burley from Brockenhurst. What a ridiculous idea. The ones in the high-street are even more so stupid as this is going to increase traffic in the high-street causing it to get clogged up more than it used to, which was bad enough. Presuming they put these in to make it safer for pedestrians, it wasn't ever needed. There was a pavement on the opposite side of the road which was and still is quite adequate. There is no need to walk on the new pavement as there are no shops up this far, and the only buildings there are flats.
Moving onto the pinch points on the Burley road. This is incredibly dangerous, you get many fast cars coming down there and with past experience with the Burley to Bransgore road, has caused many car accidents. Yes they slow cars down but in a dangerous manner, heavy braking and cars often trying to squeeze through before another car comes through within a very small gap.
I hope they decide against these, and are realising how dangerous they have made the roads. But until then we can only hope.
Adam Beevers.

From Mr A. Fitzgerald and Dr J.A. Jellicoe

Re; Recently installed pinchpoints, Burley Road, Brockenhurst.
Rarely, if ever, has public money been so perversely squandered.
These recently installed obstacles, as a result of causing constant braking and acceleration of vehicles,will not only cause noise pollution but also an increase in polluting CO2 emissions--- hardly in keeping with current "green" pretensions.
In addition, these obstacles are manifestly a danger to all road users. The inevitable consequences, particularly in poor weather conditions and darkness where visibility is reduced, should be laid firmly at the feet of those responsible for the scheme.
It can only be a matter of time before they cause serious injury or death.
Mr A. Fitzgerald and Dr J.A. Jellicoe, Brockenhurst residents. 

From Doug Patterson.

Alan,
I've had a look at the correspondence on your Kensbends website. I live in Brockenhurst and occasionally use the Burley Road. The web site correspondence makes interesting reading.
As I understand it, good public policy making involves identifying issues negatively affecting the public, identifying causes, assessing solutions, selecting an appropriate solution, implementing the solution and then assessing the outcomes, intended and unintended, of the implementation. The problem solving may be iterative if the assessment of the changed issues and causes indicates that a significant issue remains. The iterative process should continue until the issue and unintended issues have been resolved. Just like problem solving in general really.
It appears to me that an issue of accidents involving cars and animals on the Burley road between Brockenhurst and Hincheslea has been identified and that the solution implemented introduces new hazards.
A number of questions cross my mind. Was there a full definition of the issue? Were causes identified? Was a range of solutions assessed? Did the selection of the pinch points as a solution to the problem take into account unintended outcomes such as the risk of accident between vehicles and between vehicles and the pinch points?
These are historical questions and of limited value in ensuring the most appropriate solution is put in place. More importantly for the future it should be asked whether given the hazards introduced by the pinch points, there are measures in hand to ensure that a revue of the outcomes reflects the affects of the pinch points and not those some unknown variable? And given such a revue will an assessment of the appropriateness of the pinch points or another solution then be made?
Do you know of answers to these questions?
Doug Patterson, MSc CEng FIMarEST

From Ruth Eldridge

Dear Allan
I too live on the Burley Road, at Oak Cottage, just past the first pinch point.   As soon as I saw the road markings for the pinch points and received a letter announcing the road closures I telephoned Paul Garrod and voiced my concern at the siting of the proposed pinch point between The Rise and Armstrong Road in the vain hope that this one in particular might be omitted, as I feel it is potentially very dangerous.   Paul Garrod said that he would pass on my comments and explained that it was only for a trial period and when I asked how long a trial period was, he said it could be as short as three months!!
My main concern with the siting of this pinch point is for those dark nights when this part of the Burley Road is flooded.   Many times I have watched from my house as drivers approaching from the direction of Burley find that the water is getting deeper and deeper and decide not to chance it.  With flooded, invisible ditches on either side of them, they try to reverse as far as Armstrong Road.   Reversing lights are of little help in this situation and would certainly not help drivers to see where the unlit pinch points are, the most unyielding part of which will be under water.
As you will be seeing Paul Garrod and Marc Samways on the 28th October I hope these first hand comments may be of some assistance to you. 
I would like to add that I enjoyed driving along this particular part of the Burley Road between here and Wilverley on route to Dorset long before I came to live in Brockenhurst 22 years ago and I cannot understand how those responsible who are meant to protect the beauty of this area can not only allow such hideous obstructions but also agree to such inappropriate use of public money.  Nor have I seen any statistics to show that more ponies are killed on this stretch of road than on any other road in the Forest.
Yours sincerely, Ruth Eldridge

From James Butterfield.

Dear Sirs,
I completely concur with all of the comments made in favour of the removal of these pinch-points. The sole consideration given for installing them is protecting animals; not humans.
It will not be long before there is a "head-on" collision, possibly between students, as no one knows the right of way (who will give in first!), and someone is going to get killed.
People may or may not recall another idiotic attempt at "traffic calming" or just plain slowing down the traffic on the Cadnam (Brook) to Fordingbridge Road, some 15 years ago. Not dissimilar in style to those on Burley Road, but without the posts, save that the element which projected out into the road was raised and there were no posts and you had to "slalom" through them from side to the other to go through. The net result was that I very nearly turned over a 7.5 ton modern Ford horse box, with two horses and four adults on board, going at only the road speed of 30mph. But much worse; a fortnight later a Volkswagen Camper Van with four adults in it turned over going through these pinch points with multiple fatalities. They were removed straight away!
If you want to protect the animals, as against the human beings, I am afraid you will have to fence off certain key sections where the horses tend to gather, as they have done on the straight piece of the Burley Road running from below Wilverley Plain to the Tea Rooms at  Holmsley.
Yours faithfully, James Butterfield

Kevin Cripps.

I whole heartedly concur with the sentiments expressed on this website.  As usual Ken Thornber has acted without proper consultation and allowed himself to be swayed by the vocal minority of sanctimonious locals who seem to have more regard for the health of ponies than that of humans.  Any right minded person should be able to see that a number of these pinch points are sited in such a way that there will almost inevitably be accidents as cars and lorries come across them at night or in fog.   One only has to look at the various ones that were put into Burley to see that they will gradually demolished over time .  Indeed the one placed nearest Brockenhurst will be under water several times a year when the stream floods.
I also challenge any supporters to come up with hard evidence that they will even slow traffic in a way that will reduce animal injuries.  The sort of person who currently speeds will simply straight line them.  I further challenge supported to provide evidence that speed was even a contributory factor in a majority of animal accidents in the area.  I note that supporters go on about cars speeding past them but how can they judge speed.  Ones impression of speed is influenced from a number of factors including the type of car being driven, the age of the driver, the direction of wind etc.  Drive a bright red sports car down the road and then a brown hatchback at the same speed and I’d will willing to bet that certain members of our society would state that the sports car was going faster.
Finally, within the past two nights I have had to perform emergency stops when a pony has suddenly appeared from behind bushes and crossed in front of me and on both occasions I was doing considerably less then 30mph.  What prevented the accident was my awareness and a well maintained car with excellent lights and brakes – not idiotic pinch points!
Kevin Cripps, Sway

From Peter Cameron

One can only wonder at the statistical "machinations" that will be used to justify the un-justifiable.
These pinch points are wrong on so many counts, safety. financial, environmental, that to persevere with a two year trial is positively dangerous.
The Council would do well to recognise this sooner rather than later, after an accident has occurred, and a great deal of more money wasted.
At the moment it appears the villagers and the council are like two cars approaching a pinch point and waiting for the other to give way. This could lead to a collision at the ballot box!
Why not call the whole thing off now and stop this continual drip of urbanisation to the Village and the Forest.
Yours, Peter Cameron

From a long-term Brockenhurst resident who didn't want his name revealed.

Good luck with your campaigning.  
The folly of the scheme is glaringly obvious to anyone with common sense; we now have drivers concentrating on the hazards of approaching vehicles rather than the hazards of animals. The one-way signs at each end are silly and misrepresent what lies ahead.  I'm looking forward to seeing how the results of the 'trial' period are presented.  
I think you've revealed the tip of an iceberg in terms of the cavalier attitudes within some of our public bodies.

From Susan Capozza

Yet another horse caught tonight, but right on a pinch point. Road barely passable.
Nearly late for work. If we had had to turn around, which was barely possible, we would have been.
The thought of reversing through one of these things in the dark frightened me to death, as I hate going through them, even forwards in daylight.
Sue at Il Palio. P.S Keep up the good work.

From Jeff Hooper, Brockenhurst.

Well done.  What a total waste of money and an eyesore they are.  The logic of the people that instigate such projects defies reason.  I think they honestly believe that no one should drive through the Forest since a speed of zero would ensure no animal deaths!  Do they think that creating these obstacles will really prevent a driver from speeding up after one and then hitting a  pony that decides to wander into the middle of the road or a group of deer that decide to run across the road at 10 bends?  There are far more pressing projects – the repair of the Sway Road railway bridge and removal of the “temporary” traffic lights for one!  I await with interest their response when some unsuspecting driver collides with one of them, probably sometime around late November on a misty morning or foggy night!
Regards, Jeff

From Alison Arnold-Brown, life-long keen horsewoman and owner.

Having had to negotiate the Bends on several occasions recently, in all sorts of light and weather conditions, I am shocked at how dangerous the pinch points make that road. Previously driving along that road one had only to concentrate on keeping to ones own side of the road, and otherwise could look out for ponies, cattle etc. Now you have to rivet your entire attention to the road to gauge the number and speed of oncoming traffic so as to estimate who stops for a pinch point, and it is impossible to keep such a wary eye on the movements of stock as you could before. The pinch points are a danger to animals and road users, and the sooner they are moved the better!
Ali

From Kevin Scott

Dear Allan,
As a Brockenhurst resident, I can only concur with your views on this ludicrous piece of tinkering.
Like you, the first I had heard of this plan was when the markings appeared in the road. A misleading sign promised us that road “improvements” were to take place. I had foolishly assumed the road was to be resurfaced, the one measure that, by removing pot holes and the natural pinch points caused by the degradation of the edges, would have contributed to road safety in a meaningful way.
As well as the points you make, it is clear to me that anyone concentrating on these obstacles and the possible meandering of approaching vehicles has less time to be conducting the normal scans for animals. In short, I don’t see any way that these obstructions can fail to increase the risk of accident.
Anecdotally, the first time I used the road after the work, I slowed before one of the points because a large van had lined himself up to the centre and clearly had no intention of giving way. As he approached it was clear that, even though I was at the edge of the road, he would not pass me and I had to do an emergency swerve off the carriageway. Chalk this up as one accident very narrowly avoided.
Before I saw your site, I had planned to raise the question of how much these works cost and more importantly, what evidence was gathered to suggest that this project was worthwhile? I wonder if you have been given this information?
Finally, I hope that you have some success with the campaign. Sadly, I suspect that it will take a serious accident to change the stance of the “we know better than you brigade”.
Kevin Scott

From John Dunlop

Sir,
I'm so glad you have started this website. I recently passed along the road in question, not something I do very often as I live in Sway and usually go along Sway road, and I couldn't believe my eyes!! What a ridiculous decision someone made.
In my mind, pinch points are just dangerous road obstacles anyway and do not accomplish anything other than annoy drivers and make one more hazard in the road. When there are no other cars coming the other way, people can go just as fast through them as if they weren't there. If there are other cars coming, people try and drive faster to get to the pinch points first so they don't have to stop. Ridiculous. And dangerous too.
I don't like the thought of any animal deaths, indeed my parents used to have many animals running on the Forest and took some casualties as well but the way the council has gone about this issue is just so wrong. It's obvious that if someone has the need to slow traffic in that area, then use the tried and tested sleeping policemen which will persuade the most hardened speedster to slow down or take another route.
I know you have been trying to get answers to questions about why the pinch points were installed without much success, but surely we should be seriously concerned that our coumcillors can make such hare-brained decisions with apparently no accountability. Nine pinch points along one small section of open straight forest road is totally inappropriate and to say that no animals have been killed there since they were installed only means that no-one wants to use that bit of road and are going via another route! I will not be driving down that stretch of road until those hazardous pinch points are removed.
Are our councillors going senile or just missing the whole point?
Thank you. John Dunlop

This e-mail was independently sent to Cllr Thornber. Its author has now sent it on to me.

I am writing to you about the road works to Burley Road Brockenhurst. I am aware that several people have written to you about this and I am concerned that this work has been commissioned without assessment through the proper democratic channels. What assurances can you give me on this point?
I am also concerned that the risk impact of these ugly intrusions to the highway have not been assessed. Particularly in respect of risk to motor cyclists at certain times when sun setting will obscure vision and at night. Also the impact of the bollards between The Rise and Armstrong Lane when this road floods, which happens two or three times each year.
The local authority will be liable for injury if the road works cause death or injury and the risk has not been properly assessed. Again what assurances can you give on these points?
Yours sincerely, Michael Watson

From Mel Watt

These pinchpoints are very dangerous because there is no right of way, resulting in drivers approaching them from opposite directions, often at speed and assuming the other guy is going to give way.I have witnessed several incidents of this type. Action needs to be taken to remove them. Regards, Mel Watt

From Patrick Keane

Thank you for the opportunity to voice an anxiety about the new pinch points.
I was cycling down the Burley Road recently and encountered them for the first time.
I noticed as I pedalled through them that my focus was concentrated successively on each pinch point. Normally I scan the periphery with much greater attention.
This must be the opposite of what was intended.
Thanks again, Patrick Keane.

From John Kelly

Along with many of the people who have left messages on your web site, I must agree with the comments detailing the risk and hazard potential of these structures.
As a further example of the danger, I was driving along the road in the Burley direction one morning at first light, noticed the reflective post, but did not see the curb, causing me to swerve and nearly come into contact with the opposite side of the pinch point. As an example of traffic calming, it does a very good job in doing the opposite and increasing the driving risk in this area.
I look forward to seeing how drivers cope when the road is flooded, as vehicles will still attempt to access the village, but will have no clue as to the extent of the protruding curb.
Regards, John Kelly

From a Brockenhurst resident.
This person, who is an established and respected local citizen, wanted their name withheld in case they made enemies in our various governing councils. This is one of five local business people who have given me information or pictures, who wanted anonymity for this reason. I find this disturbing.

I am really pleased you have established this initiative, as I am baffled by the rationale of these pinch points. Many of their shortcomings have been highlighted, so I would just like to draw attention to a
couple of other issues.
These 'obstructions' will undoubtedly cause accidents and, even a minor one, may result in a narrow road being closed or impassible. The consequence here, apart from the obvious, are that the emergency services will not be able to get by. There is a lot of traffic on that road and not many alternative routes. So the safety of council tax payers who live in the area, and the safety of motorists who pay such a high cost in taxes, are all secondary to the safety of animals?
The next point is that undoubtedly the damage to animals will drop, although this will be more than offset by damage to humans. Will the Hampshire County Council then deem this a success and follow up with a similar scheme on the Rhinefield Road. After all, they do these thing without due process or apparent logic.
There is probably one simple solution, and that is have a candidate run at the forthcoming local elections under the banner, 'No more road/highway change without consultation'. You would then see the chairman of Hampshire County Council make some swift changes. Otherwise the first function of the incoming council would be to elect a new Chairman.
There have been too many layers of democracy involved, but not many layers of common sense.
(Please don't publish my name)

From Nick Korbey

Unnecessary Hazard Pinch Points. 
The pinch points referred to in this correspondence unquestionably amount to a hazard to road users, as any obstruction to the free flow of traffic surely does. I fully appreciate that this piece of highway is not a trunk road and therefore the traffic using it does not deserve to be afforded a high level of free flowing priority, but road users on that stretch of road have an entitlement that the authorities afford them the courtesy of not using them as pawns in a near continuous game of chicken.  
As a cyclist who has ridden this route in both directions I can assure you that passing oncoming traffic in those pinch points is only for the very thin and very foolhardy. The pinch points would benefit if cycle paths were to be incorporated into them.  
The level of traffic we now endure here in the forest these days is entirely incompatible with the pinch points and the best interests of road safety.  
Yours faithfully. Nick Korbey 

From David Bennett

It’s all been said, very eloquently. But there’s strength in numbers, hence my mail to agree that these ‘read safety measures’ are a total (and potentially dangerous) nonsense. Given the other pinch points, appearing (eg Brookley Road) it appears someone in Winchester is on a crusade to install as many as possible…in as small an area as possible. Equally, it’s ironic that as the Government opens up itself to scrutiny and consultation, our own County Council remains inaccessible and obdurate. David Bennett, Partner, CrownMedia LLP

From Terry Woods.

I live in Sway Road but often use the Burley Road, and I am appalled at the waste of taxpayers' money on such unjustified and unnecessary expenditure. In fact I think it goes beyond the realms of bureaucratic incompetence. These pinchpoint posts are dangerous, particularly as they have no priority signs. Anybody who regularly uses the Burley Road cannot fail to view actual driver behaviour; ie a combination of slowing and then speeding up as the oncoming car's speed is assessed. With both oncoming cars believing that they can get through before the other It is an accident waiting to happen!
It's easy to be cynical as to why the pinchpoints  "suddenly appeared". The probable truth is that a manager with a budget somewhere in bureaucracy land was intent on ensuring that his/her budget was spent within the budget year, rather than see it reduced the following year!
I wish you luck in your future discussions with the council and hope that this so called experiment is cancelled, and the eyesores removed totally. I suspect that an inevitable fudge will be rather more in keeping however.
What a classic example of  confused lack of communication and a complete waste of time and money. Well played for leading the probable opinions of the silent majority in Brockenhurst who are not impressed with the manner in which the council have dealt with this matter.
Yours, Terry Woods.

From A. Brown.

I totally concur with all the comments on your Kensbends website. The pinchpoints certainly do not appear to be temporary structures - they put temporary pinch points on the Burley Bransgore Road when they were trialing these, and they were clearly removable bollards and kerbstones. These are large, ugly and very solidly cemented in in an extremely permanent manner. They are unlit and there is no priority signage - and adding either would further destroy what was an attractive Forest road until now. I agree with all the points made, but above all I do not understand what right our local council has to spend a small fortune on a project without any consultation of any sort, or any trial period. Yet again they are not acting in our interests by informing us of their intentions or decisions. Let us hope this website will make them aware of their failings!
A. Brown - local resident.

From Phil Glasgow

Thank you for alerting the greater population to the hazard posed to cyclists by the recently implemented pinch points along the Burley Road. I'm a cyclist both for leisure and sport, a motorist and a father.
Cyclists, whether riding in groups or alone will generally feel comfortable with cars, motorcycles and other cyclists passing them when speed and direction are consistent. It is my experience and a view upheld by many cycling coaches that accidents happen when someone does something 'unexpected' and this holds true for riding recreationally as well as competitively on the road or velodrome.
So why create such an obvious mechanism for the unexpected to occur? The pinch points will cause vehicles and cycles alike to change both direction and speed and with no priority clearly indicated this can only put users of the road in the path of the unexpected - I sincerely hope that no one is hurt because of these additional structures although I fear this is inevitable.
I would also like to add that although cycle light technology has advanced significantly a unit to illuminate these pinch points at a safe distance carries a financial implication beyond the means of occasional commuters / cyclists.
Yours sincerely, Phil Glasgow (Rides and races for Hargroves Cycles)

From Bob Joliffe.

Dear Mr Hendry,
As a member of New Forest Cycling Club and a touring/racing cyclist for the best part of 43 years, I am not in favour of pinch points generally, particularly on rural roads where they seem out of place and out of context.
While they do slow traffic, you get bullish drivers who either do not see, or do not want to see, cyclists. Consequently, having nine pinch points in quick succession on a mile stretch of road will antagonise drivers, especially those who prefer not to see cyclists even though cyclists may have right of way in a narrowed section of the carriageway.
I believe lives could be put at risk in Burley Road, Brockenhurst and also on the road between Thorney Hill and Burley village where similar pinch points have been in place for several years.
I agree with your thoughts on the risk in foggy weather conditions, particularly for motorists, but am less happy with the points you raise about cycling in good conditions at night. Bicycle lights are so much better nowadays and they illuminate the carriageway some distance ahead, assuming batteries are in good condition.
Yours sincerely, Bob Jolliffe (I have now changed the part about bicycle lights)

From Derek Allen.

What an excellent paper. The replies you got were just pathetic. I had thought doing something to complain but it would not have been anything as good and professional and well researched as yours.
I firmly believe they are dangerous. No one knows whether to stop or go through resulting on many occasions cars having to  reverse to let the other car through. It is even worse with lorries which hardly have enough width to get through.I have noticed that already there are significant tyre marks on the concrete. Also the youngsters like to go through like chicanes on a race track.   Surely the answer is to make it a 30 mph limit from the from South  Weirs and then to police it properly.
Best regards, Derek

From Susan Gardam, local solicitor.

Great, but no mention of the village obstacles! and the fact that there is now massive congestion and therefore pollution at busy times of the day!!  Let alone the fact that cars will have their tyres ruined on the protruding pavement or swerve and run people over!!
You might as well attack on all fronts as they are the same "enemy" doing the same thing without proper consultation or thought or local knowledge etc. (I have since added comments about the pavements.)

From Malcolm Graveling.

Driving along the Burley road the other day a "white" van was coming in the other direction. He was further from the pinch point that I was approaching than I was so I continued. Without a doubt the van increased speed racing me to the pinch point. In my view their is no doubt that he was playing "chicken", ie. seeing which of us would brake to let the other through. His van was much larger and older than my car so it was I who "chickened".
Like you and the others who have commented about the pinch points on your website I believe they are hazardous.
Also (as you comment on your website) the pavement on Brockley road has once again been dug up to reduce the width after it had been widened a few days ago. It is just wrong that our "representatives" waste our money in this way.
Go well. 

From Jim Benson.

Hi,
Pinch points on Burley Rd.
Pointless by day and potentially dangerous at night.  Purpose unclear. 
If to stop killing ponies then useless.  By day animals can be seen clearly and at night, with little traffic, totally ineffective in reducing speed of cars.  Dangerous to those not familiar with the area and to cyclists.
In addition it will be obvious to people using road frequently that it is a reasonable tactic, when likely to be held up waiting for traffic in other direction, to make a burst of speed which will get you there first. Just a waste of time and my tax payers money.
Village pinch points.
It has been said that cars travel at excessive speed through the village.  Most of the day this is impossible due the the narrow road with legal parking on one side.  In addition it is rare for a day to pass when cars are not illegally parked in the road making it effectively a single lane.  After shops have closed and there is little traffic the chicanes will be pointless.  In addition work has reduced the availability of legal parking.
Apart from the unnecessary expense it appears we have solutions in search of problems. There are many other instances of pointless and unexplained road woks and white line painting and perhaps the reasoning for the traffic lights at the end of Sway Road could be properly explained.
Jim Benson.

From Sean Perry.

PINCH POINTS
Won't they look nice in the next period drama!  Good to see the NFNPA care so much about keeping the Forest unchanged.
With all the new reflectors reflecting  light straight  back in to your eyes, you can’t see a thing. It might be sensible to post NFNPA watchmen on each pinch point to keep the pony’s safely away from these dangerous obstructions.  Another good Quango idea.
Russian Roulette!  Who will get there first. Everybody I have spoken with laughs about speed increasing to beat the oncoming contestant. And then  the road rage.
I notice the pinch point recently finished in the village has already had changes made. Who pays for that  little mistake?
For the entertainment of the pedestrian might I suggest another pinch point in the middle of the water splash and maybe an expensive new bench or two, for the spectators.
Sean Perry

From David Bargrove, Brockenhurst

Having just had to stop and assist at a relatively severe accident on these pinch points, I have to say it is about time something is done about them.
We all know these are a bad idea, but i f these things are to stay then two things need to happen. First they pinch points need to put on a stagger which will actually cause the traffic to slow.
The second thing needs to be the installation of priority signage, with priority alternating between the pinch points. An excellent example of this would be ford Lane in Christchurch.
Over the last few weeks since the incident I have witnessed students coming down that road at outragious speeds and these pinch points have only made it more fun for them to see how fast they can get through them. These are of course seriously inexperienced drivers who can't handle these speeds. Then every now and then they put that speed detection sign up that tells you your speed however doesnt take any pictures, this is another game for them to see who can get the highest speed!
As for the resurfacing, they have done two patches, outside the church, which I cant work out why they have done that part, and up by South Weirs, which again seemed pointless especially as the road between these two sections is in a far worse state. They have left severe defects in the road which, for a motor cyclist, are potentially dangerous.
Yet another pointless exercise by the council. I do wonder if the people actually come out to look at the road before hand or if they just put pins randomly in a map!
Today a very severe accident was narrowly avoided, I am suprised it hasnt happened sooner but it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt but more than likely killed.
Dave

From David Bradley, Brockenhurst.

I completely agree that these pinch points are dangerous. I nearly had an accident myself the other night driving into Brockenhurst village from the A337. It was late, so no cars were parked at the side of Brookley Road which meant I could keep to the left despite an oncoming vehicle. Suddenly there was a new and unlit pinch point! As I had just turned right into Brookley Road I was only doing 15mph so was able to brake suddenly to avoid swerving into the path of the oncoming vehicle.
I am very familiar with this road which is usually governed by the parked cars. Cars are highly visible with lights and reflectors. They also benefit from front and rear crumple zones which, although damaged if hit, provide a high degree of safety to drivers and passengers alike. Unlit concrete is not like this!
Where was the notice warning of the new road layout? Where is the high visibility marking of a sudden obstruction in the road? Who thought it would be a good idea in the first place? And, if it was it discussed by the appropriate committees, from where did they glean their safety study information? Where are the statistics for the accidents at this location which are to be prevented? Are statistics being kept of the accidents caused by the pinch points? How many accidents and how severe do they need to be before these dangerous obstacles are removed?
I would like to see the Risk Assessment for this road layout change. I sincerely hope this is not just a budget-spending exercise ahead of proposed cuts, in an effort to preserve current levels of funding. If not, why is precious funding being spent on such matters rather than on more crucial services? eg; filling in potholes, maintaining verges from overgrowing vegetation, lowering speed limits generally, etc.
Finally – In the spirit of the current Government, who is to be held accountable for the unwanted effects of these pinch points?

From Nina Ball - this was originally sent to the Parish Council, but got no further,

I refer to the new traffic calming measures along the Burley Road.
The wooden posts have reflective markings on them, but the actual kerb juts out beyond, into the road. At night, in the pitch black, one thinks that the two reflective marks are at the actual sides of the road, which they are not and this give rise to the danger of actually hitting the kerb.
These pinch points have been built (with indecent haste I have to say) to benefit the safety of the ponies. Perhaps further consideration could be given to a further improvement, this time for the safety of car drivers.
Nina

From Paul Girling, with a view which he didn't believe had been considered in other responses.

I read with interest the comments about these new pinch points and wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments already expressed.
The issues of the cost and the dangerous implications to road users seem to have been adequately covered by other respondents. But what about the danger to animals!
The issue of animal road casualties is a serious one and I have no doubt that everyone would like to see them prevented, and the south weirs action group should be commended for trying to highlight the problem. However I do not believe the pinch points are the solution and could in fact make matters worse.
Animal accidents are predominantly at night, and anyone who frequently drives across the forest at night will know how hard you have to concentrate to spot animals in your path, even at speeds below 30 mph, when your headlights are dipped as a car approaches you.
Motorists will now be more focused on the respective rights of way through these pinch points as they asses the distance and approaching speed of oncoming vehicles, and then negotiate the obstacles. Some drivers on seeing an approaching car may speed up to beat the other vehicle and avoid having to stop. Either way, many motorists will be watching each other, not, as is vital at night, the road in front of them.
Even those of us who take great care whilst driving across the forest at night will have had near misses in the past. I submit that anything that distracts drivers from scanning the piece of road immediately in front of them, looking for almost indiscernible movements or shadows (reflective collars are not always present or visible) that alert them to the presence of a horse or other animal, may be putting those animals in greater danger, not less.
Paul Girling.

From Peter Gallagher.

Lymington Times - Saturday 30 July 2011.

Lymington Times - 6th August 2011

This was my letter in the Lymington Times of 29th October 2011, with letters copied to Stuart Jarvis, Head of HCC Highways, and to Cllr Thornber.

It led to exchanges of correspondence with Cllr Thornber and Stuart Jarvis, for details click elected or HCC.
It also drew an immediate response from another Burley Road resident, John Cropp.

Dear Mr Hendry

First of all, may I congratulate you on an excellent letter in this week's Lymington Times; to the point and very well balanced, and I agree with everything you say. It is those of us who actually live on the road who, I believe, can best judge what is actually going on.

I would like, if I may, to add just a few points

1. I live on the Burley Road in Ford Cottage, right by the pinch point outside Linden House. If we are travelling home from the west and there is traffic approaching us from the direction of the village, we try to invite it through the pinch point ahead of us. Often, however, the lead vehicle insists on us coming through first. We then have a log jam because to get into our drive we have to turn right, across the west-going traffic, which is then stuck because of traffic following us through the pinch point. I pointed this out to the traffic engineers when walking the route with them and Ken Thornber before the works were done, and asked them to relocate it.
 
Incidentally, I agree with you entirely about the location of the pinch point at the top of the hill. I pointed that out to the traffic engineers too.

2. In the winter, the only way to walk to the village for those of us in South Weirs and at the westerly end of the Burley Road, is along the road; the grass edges are just too boggy and muddy. We cannot walk round the pinch points in those conditions and now have to walk through them. That is hair-raising at times, especially in the dark.

3. Because of their design, in conditions of light traffic the pinch points have no effect at all. This is particularly the case at night, which of course is the riskiest time for animal, cyclist and pedestrian accidents, and is when we see and hear traffic racing through sometimes at speeds which we have estimated at 60mph or more and accelerating.

Yours sincerely
John Cropp

And from Henry Szwinto on 14th November:

Hi Alan,

As a cyclist and a motorist I am greatly concerned. The pinch points are dangerous and put at risk some of the most vulnerable users of the road, i.e. the cyclists.  They put people in conflict and in such situations the person in the 4 wheeled tin-can usually hurts the more vulnerable road user. 

With regard to pinch points being a road safety feature: what a load of rubbish!  If you watch the traffic behavior near them you are more likely to see drivers accelerating to get to them before other vehicles.  Before the pinch points in Burley were made permanent they were regularly getting demolished and you often saw large skid marks near them.  The Lymington Times itself reported a bus that went off the road in the snow last winter because it had to brake for a car at a pinch point on Thorney Hill.  A careless moment from a friend of mine on his bike resulted in a collision with the road furniture and broken ribs.  Whatever the finer details of the various events it is clear that if the obstacles were not in the road in the first place these accidents would not have happened. 

Do the pinch points slow drivers up?  Definitely not when it is important.  At night when the road is empty and ponies are at greatest risk an irresponsible driver can drive as fast as they want all through Burley Road.  In contrast during the day reasonable motorists during busy times have to brake and accelerate using extra fuel, costing them more money and emitting more greenhouse gas as a result.  This is in addition to our public money we have wasted installing the pinch points.  I should also point out that as a keen cyclist and a frequent driver on New Forest roads I witness plenty of examples of dangerous driving at speeds within the speed limit and speed taken in isolation is not the main problem.  The main problem is poor driving.

I don’t believe the pinch points are reducing pony deaths.  Even if they have, I don’t believe it is worth risking the lives of humans to save ponies.

Yours sincererely, Henry Szwinto.

Then this happened.

I sent the above photo to Cllr Thornber, who in his reply dismissed this as an "example of driver behaviour." He goes on to add "one accident is too many and it is this that has prompted the Road Safety Team here at Hampshire County Council to take the action it did" (install the pinch points).
You work that out.

The accident also resulted in these two letters to the Lymington Timeson on the 17th and 24th December.

And from a longer letter in the Lymington Times about cycling in the New Forest Jan 28th 2012