CAMPAIGNERS want a public consultation on the number of deer in the forest to be speeded up.

The call comes after three deer were killed in road accidents in the space of ten days.

The City of London Corporation launched a consultation on managing the deer population on January 25, shortly after a successful campaign to stop them from being hunted.

Louise Mitchell, from the Epping Forest Wildlife Conservation Group (EPWCG), is attending a meeting on the subject on Wednesday, April 12.

She said: “Something needs to change. It’s so dangerous. We are not necessarily starting a campaign, just getting some solutions and seeing what the public want from it. It has to be something that everyone will commit to.”

One idea proposed to cut the number of fatalities is a further reduction in the speed limit after it was reduced to 40mph last year.

Carina Powney, also from EPWCG, claims people regularly break the speed limit, and drive dangerously behind people who stick to the rules.

She said: “People break the speed limit all the time from my experience. If a stag went through your car it would do some serious damage to you.

“There have been three deer killed in ten days. That has to be only the tip of the iceberg. It seems to be happening all the time. I see it frequently.

“It’s about time some people started taking notice before something really awful happens.”

Speaking to the Guardian Series in January, Philip Woodhouse, chairman for the corporations Epping Forest management committee, said that they were still seeing more than 100 deer related vehicle crashes each year.

Campaigner Paul Morris says the authorities are doing everything they can to find a solution to the problem.

He said: “I know that the City of London are trying to work it out. There has been three campaigns, all have been high profile.

“The deer are an ornament to be preserved in the forest. They still need their population to be managed however.

“I would like to see the public consultation reeled out sooner rather than later.”

The results of the consultation are expected in the summer.

In 2012, the City of London corporation reported that there was 328 deer in the forest and only 62 culled.

The City of London corporation say they have introduced signs and reflectors to warn road users of the dangers. They also have staff on call 24 hours a day to deal with fatalities.

A spokesman said: “Epping Forest is criss-crossed by public roads and there are a number of deer casualties resulting from deer/vehicle collisions.

“Should any members of the public find a deer casualty, please report the location to our forest keepers on 020823511010.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “We are always concerned to hear about incidents involving wildlife on our roads, not least because of the danger to road users.”