Salt licks now in place along Roger Penny Way

13/01/2022

One of the New Forest’s most infamous roads for animal accidents (Roger Penny Way), has been given the go-ahead to trial off-road salt licks in a bid to help grazing animals away from the road.

During the colder months, animals (ponies, donkeys and cattle) are drawn to the road by salt and grit spreading, where they then lick the salt off the road surface.

It is hoped that this trial will keep animals off and away from the road by providing a safer alternative in a more natural habitat.

The new salt licks being delivered and put into place

The new salt licks are placed approximately 135 meters back from the road in open-top containers. The salt itself is in big lumps to ensure it doesn’t spill onto the ground. Once the weather improves, the containers will be removed.

Although the new salt licks may draw some animals away from the road, many will still be near to or on roads across the forest. These animals have right of way on the roads.

Bill Howells who instigated this initiative (New Forest commoner and NFCDA committee member) had this to say:

I would like to thank all the relevant organisations who have given us consent to trial the salt licks, hopefully it will make a difference to animal behaviour and accident numbers.”

Even with new measures in place, we still ask all drivers in the forest to drive to the conditions, expect the unexpected and prepare to stop

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.

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