Calls to make accident blackspot crossroads safer

People living by an accident blackspot are calling on a council to make it safer.

The B656 crossroads at Little Almshoe in Hertfordshire near Hitchin has seen five major incidents this year.

Paul Pinkstone, who lives next to it, said: "Eight vehicles have been written off and each resulted in the road being closed for at least two hours with ambulance, police and fire brigade attending. We have had damage to our fence on four occasions."

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said it would "carefully consider the issues" and decisions on changes to speed limits or traffic management were "based on detailed assessments, including collision data, traffic conditions and how the road is used."

The B656 links Hitchin and Welwyn, and the hamlet of Little Almshoe is about three miles away from Hitchin.

The road has a 60mph speed limit, but at Little Almshoe a cut through lane from Luton goes across it with give way junctions on either side.

People living by it said there was a lack of visibility for drivers trying to cross the B656. The cut-through via the village of Preston also has a downward slope meaning drivers have to brake suddenly to avoid meeting oncoming traffic .

Pinkstone, who has lived by the crossroads for 30 years, added: "We've been on at Hertfordshire County Council since we moved here to reduce the speed limit and each time they say they're looking into the problem, but say it may take two years to resolve. Every time we get in touch, it's another two years."

The Labour MP for Hitchin, Alistair Strathern, has written to the Liberal Democrat-run authority to share residents' concerns and ideas on how to fix the problem, which include reducing speed limits and changing give way signs to stop signs at the junction.

He said: "The fact there are so many bits of broken car debris scattered around and so many recently replaced fence panels speaks to how dangerous this junction has become."

"Residents have been clear there are a range of things that could be done to help improve it and the fact that none of it's happened I think highlights the fact that so far, the county council haven't taken this issue as seriously as they should be."

Another issue is that accessing bus stops near the road means people have to cross the B656, despite cars often travelling at 60mph.

Katie Cozon, who moved to the hamlet 18 months ago, said: "We are raising our two small children here and would like them to be able to grow up and cross the road without fear and use the bus stop, but at the moment that is not the case."

A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson said: "Improving road safety remains a key priority and our Speed Management Strategy has been updated to reflect a shift from reacting to existing traffic speeds towards proactively setting speeds based on what is safe and appropriate for the area."

The updated strategy is now published and open for public consultation until 22 June.

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