Fences on A31 to be replaced a year after biker died in collision with pony

HIGHWAYS bosses are to replace fences on the New Forests busy A31 a year after a motorcyclist died in a collision with a stray pony.

Bournemouth man Daniel Robins, 31, was one of two riders involved in a collision with the animal on the westbound A31 at Picket Post near Ringwood on January 22 2014.

Police had initially closed the road after the pony was spotted but then reopened the route after failing to find the animal. The Highways Agency says the decision to replace three stretches of fencing, totalling around 1.5 miles, is not related to the accident.

A spokesman for the agency said work would begin on February 2 to replace the first of three sections and would be finished by the end of March.

The bill is expected to come to 450,000.

Its part of normal maintenance and updating work, said the spokesman.

The fence posts there are reaching the end of their useful life.

The three stretches of fencing to be replaced are as follows:

- On the westbound carriageway, west of Stoney Cross to the Moggshade Underpass

- On the eastbound carriageway, from the Moggshade Underpass to around 300 metres west of Stoney Cross

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Fences on A31 to be replaced a year after biker died in collision with pony