Lib Dems call for staggered crossing at Norley Wood "accident hotspot"

The New Forest's two Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidates, Jack Davies and Caroline Rackham, are calling on Hampshire Highways to install a staggered crossing at Norley Wood Crossroads. Their call comes after a spate of car accidents at the crossing - the most recent incident happening earlier this week.

A similar situation had arisen at Ipley Crossroads near Beaulieu which had been the scene of two fatal accidents. The County Council installed a staggered crossing at Ipley in 2021 which made the crossroads safer and no fatal accidents have occurred there since the staggered crossing was installed.

Caroline Rackham, the Liberal Democrat candidate for New Forest East at the next General Election, called the crossroads an "accident hotspot".

She said: 

"I have recently been contacted by residents regarding the Norley Wood crossroads following the latest accident there at the beginning of the week.

"The crossroads has become an accident hotspot and it's just a matter of time before further accidents take place which put road users, pedestrians, and forest animals at risk.

"I will be writing to Hampshire County Council urging them to modify the crossing at Norley Wood like they did at Ipley."

Jack Davies, the Liberal Democrat candidate for New Forest West at the next General Election, backed Caroline Rackham's call for a staggered crossing at Norley Wood.

He said:

"The County Council must act now to prevent further accidents from happening. I'm happy to support Caroline Rackham's calls for a staggered crossing at Norley Wood.

"A staggered crossing will save lives. It worked at Ipley and it will work at Norley Wood. It's a no-brainer."