New Forest commoners caught speeding in national park in Operation Mountie at Kings Hat on the Ipley Cross to Beaulieu Road

THREE New Forest commoners have been caught speeding in the national park, along with a driver clocked at nearly 76mph.

They were stopped during Operation Mountie roadside speed monitoring at Kings Hat on the Ipley Cross to Beaulieu Road on Monday.

The driver travelling nearly twice the limit failed a drug wipe, and New Forest Roads Awareness Campaigner Gilly Jones slammed the commoners’ involvement as “shocking”.

She added: ”How hacked off do you think I am feeling at the moment? Very local people and companies who do not want to obey the speed limit.”

During the morning police stopped 30 vehicles for breaking the speed limit – the majority of them locals. Of those stopped nine were reported for recording speeds between 50 and 58 at Kings Hat and Hawk Hill, into Brockenhurst from Hatchet Pond.

Ms Jones continued: “We hoped that the message about the speed limit and awareness of livestock was getting through, but sadly no it isn’t.”

“My takeaway from today was the amount of very local people speeding. Three commoners were also stopped, which for me is shocking.”

Drivers used a range of excuses for their speeding including running late, chatting to a friend, and one who claimed they had driven across the Forest for 13 years and never seen a pony.

A further 20 motorists received advice from volunteers at Forestry England and the New Forest Roads Awareness campaign.

Meanwhile, the speed enforcement vehicle spent the day on Roger Penny Way and the C17 from Stoney Cross to Emery Down where a further 10 drivers were reported for breaking the limit.

Writing online, a police spokesperson said: “Thanks as always to everyone, the majority, who did stick to the speed limit but please spread the word, the speeds recorded today are not acceptable.”

Ms Jones added: “Still so many people do not know who to call if they witness or are involved in an accident. The answer is 999, no one else, especially if the animal runs off.”

“Please have that conversation with your friends and family. Remind them why the speed limit is there. It is for your safety and other road users as much as the livestock.”