URGENT measures are needed to make a country lane safe claim Fordingbridge residents.

Hampshire Highways are being urged to step in and build passing places along the 60mph Ashford Road.

Fears that children are being put in danger, along with pedestrians and cyclists, have been raised following a number of near misses along the narrow lane, which have left cyclists and walkers scrambling onto the high banks to avoid careless motorists.

Retired school teacher and resident Sharyn Young said: “We live on this lane, which has a 60mph speed limit, and walking along it is dangerous. It is not suitable for the width of the vehicles nor the speed they travel.

“During rush hour and school pick up times, the lane becomes a rat run. The lane is narrow and there is no room for two cars to pass because of the high hedges and banks. The condition of the road in places is appalling, with parts of the bank slipping away underneath car tracks.

“Cars race down this lane, which has a number of blind bends, and children in buggies, people on bikes and walkers are at serious risk each time they use the road. Many children live in the houses on Ashford Road and according to UNICEF the rights of children in this situation are being infringed, as it impossible to walk along it safely.

“There has been a host of near misses, it won’t be long before there is a serious accident. It is dangerous to use the road on foot or bike, and even riskier still at night.

“We are asking Hampshire Highways for a safe but realistic method to create a safer road and protect its inhabitants from speeding motorists and wide lorries.

“Ideally the speed limit needs reducing and passing places need to be built because of the frequency of near head-on collisions.”

Mayor of Fordingbridge Malcolm Connolly has given the plea his backing.

He said: “The town council has been contacted by worried residents over the years and enough is enough. Hampshire County Council and new Forest District Council have not put in a solution but it is clear that the problem is getting worse and something now needs to be done to rectify the situation before someone gets seriously hurt.”

Hampshire County Council has not responded at the time of going to press.