Copied from Members forum in case people don't have access but may find it interesting. Replies can be sent to letters@dailyecho.co.uk

SOAPBOX: New Forest speed limits

Time to stop Commoning

OVER the years I have watched with interest the campaigns to reduce speed limits in the New Forest.

There are about 350 families of Commoners who have rights to turn out animals on to the Forest, and some 5,000 horses, cows, pigs and sheep are let loose on to the roads each year.

This inevitably leads to casualties of livestock and endangers human lives.

A number of animals are poorly cared for in the winter months and some owners do not bother to put reflective collars on their stock, to help protect their lives.

In the past, the Beaulieu Road Pony Sales have sent horses to slaughter for their meat.

When foals are born, from day one they have to brave the dangers of motor vehicles and many are slain or maimed in the early weeks of their lives,
as they run into the path of a motor car.

It would seem to me that it is about time to enter the 21st century and deal with this problem.

I offer two solutions:

1. Stop the practice of Commoning and do not allow wild animals to roam unattended on to public roads.
2. Fence all Forest roads, so that a number of enclosures
are created, where ponies and cattle may graze. This measure
has proved effective and eliminated animal deaths on the A35
and the A31 roads. The costs of this project should be charged to the Commoners.

It is ridiculous that animals can wander the highway unattended.

Owners cannot be concerned for animal welfare if they continue
to condone the injuries and deaths of their own livestock.

One assumes that the rewards of this practice outweigh the
inconvenience of the current death rates.

The idea of letting semi-wild horses roam The Common in Southampton and have access to The Avenue and surrounding streets would be considered lunacy, but the 30mph speed limits in the town would be nodifferent to those suggested for
the Forest.

Lets get real on this subject free pasture for Commoners livestock means profit and money.

The Commoners, Verderers and Agisters are one select club, who exist solely for their own benefit and have no place in a modern democratic society.

They should be abolished and the roads of the New Forest
would then be made safe for all.

Lower speed limits may reduce animal deaths, but will not eliminate them.

JOHN MACKRELL, Lyndhurst.

My response has already gone.

I have a feeling we've heard from this guy before

Best he moves to Southampton Common then. What an idiot!

OMG!! Deep breaths.....why do these people live in the forest, just bugger off somewhere else, we dont want you here!! Money making...HA!!
He has NO respect for, or sense of the privilege we all enjoy, living in such a unique and fantastic area does he!! He would rather just destroy the area, to make life easier for himself, so while driving he can keep his foot on the accelerator, not have to move his leg to put in on the brake....nooo, thats too much like hard work!!!!

Off to send my reply to his letter!!!!

Brushwood Ponies www.ckart.co.uk

Why does he not go to the next verderers court & make a presentment regarding the abolishion of commoning...........!

What an ignorant pig!!

I'm not a commoner myself and I haven't had the chance to ride in the forest with my pony yet (it's definately on my to do list though!) but I love the fact that The Forest is a tradition and is managed by such devoted people who clearly love their animals be it ponies, cattle, pigs etc.

I love telling non-horsey people about the fact that my boy came from The Forest and then telling them all about the way The Forest is run - most people don't realise what it's all about.

This guy clearly doesn't have animals otherwise he would realise that as owners we would do anything for our animals whether they are in our house or on The Forest!!

It's people like him who have moved this country into the modern mess that it is in now by not appreciating such traditions!!

AND BREATHE...I feel much better now - although still very angry at his ignorance!!

Without prejudice

Clearly we have yet another self opinionated little Pratt, who has got himself into a position to make idiotic comments in the public domain, as so many have before him. All he will achieve is to make mischief, and cause our local authorities to spend more of our money on denouncing his worthless and time wasting cause. Forgive me if I am wrong, but many of these people are not Forest folk, and are incomers hell-bent on upsetting the status Que. If you don't like what you see, bu**er off back to where you came from is what I say. I would welcome a chance to lock horns with him, perhaps he would like to come and meet with some of the real Forest community, ones that have lived here all of their lives, and are quite content with their lot, and do not wish to see any of it change - God, it makes me mad to see idiots like this being given a podium to speak
MAC