People in Garston say they are furious after it was revealed that Herts County Council (HCC) had spent nearly £100k on minor roadworks outside the Woodside Leisure complex.
The work carried out by highways officers included an extension to the traffic island at the Woodside Leisure Complex junction which enabled the road markings to be adjusted to allow for better alignment of the traffic lanes through the longabout. Council chiefs say they will now monitor collision records to see if the work carried out brings the number down.
Locals have been calling out for a crossing to be installed on the A405 for years. Three community leaders say the work is a waste of money and said the council’s focus should be elsewhere.
John Swain is chairman of the Kingswood Residents Association.
He said: “I am shocked by this explanation of costs the majority of which are absorbed in design and planning fees along with traffic management charges. I think this is a gross waste of taxpayers’ money on a project which was both unnecessary and now equally ineffective. There is no difference whatsoever in the speed of traffic through this junction
“The costings are unbelievable, and to claim the works are subtle is an insult against the taxpayer. Herts County Council needs taking to task over their blatant ignorance of the real dangers on this stretch of road.”
Woodside Watford Brough Councillor Stephen Cavinder supported Mr Swain’s views.
He commented: “I’m shocked and angry at Herts County Council spending taxpayers’ money on a scheme which nobody asked for, is hardly noticeable and will have little or no impact. Despite our constant requests for additional safety measures on this stretch of road, Herts County Council just aren’t interested. I’m genuinely concerned that it will take a fatality before anything is done.”
County councillor Tim Williams requested a meeting with the Highway Safety Team which was rejected.
He added: “This highlights in no uncertain terms that they have no interest with addressing issues on the A405.”
As a Resident of Garston, I find the so called “improvements” disgusting, in my view it hasn’t changed anything, people are still driving at speed around the longabout, for two cars to go side by side around the longabout to continue down the A405, one car STILL has to encroach onto the white line to give the other car space. We did NOT want this changed, what we WANTED was a safe way to cross the A405 from Woodside side to Stanborough side BUT Herts County Council’s Highway Safety Team have taken a blind view to what Residents of Garston are requesting & wanting