MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition calling for average speed cameras to be installed on a Hampshire road where four ponies were killed.

The B3078 Roger Penny Way, one of the main routes across the New Forest, is among the worst roads in the area for animal accidents.

In December it was the scene of several collisions in which animals were killed.

On New Year's Eve four ponies owned by the same woman died after being hit by a Land Rover Discovery between Brook and Bramshaw Telegraph.

The animals are thought to have been standing in the middle of the unlit road, licking freshly laid salt.

Police said no action would be taken against the driver, who was complying with the 40mph speed limit.

But the accident has resulted in the launch on online petition calling on New Forest District Council to support calls for average speed cameras to be installed on the route.

A total of 1,134 people have signed the petition.

It cites the deaths of two sheep, three donkeys and four ponies on the B3078 and the history of animal accidents on the road.

Gilly Jones, of New Forest Roads Awareness, said: "We know ASC will not solve the problem, but it will go a long way to help.

"People like to comment that nothing is being done but there is a huge amount of work going on."