The Rickmansworth & District Residents’ Association (RDRA) is concerned with a crossing on Batchworth Bridge that has left pedestrians injured in the past.
The group said there are two issues, both not helped by the crossing being on top of a canal bridge which provides a slight hump, meaning it relies on the beacons to tell drivers it is there.
The biggest issue on the bridge, according to the RDRA, is that during the day, there is often a traffic jam heading north towards Rickmansworth on the inside lane waiting to get into Riverside Drive.
Traffic on the outside lane drives through, not realising that a pedestrian is crossing and hits them – this has happened on a number of occasions and can happen south bound as well.
The other issue is that, at night, the little neon flashing lights around the beacons draw a driver’s attention away from the side of the road where a pedestrian in dark clothes might be hiding behind the railings.
The RDRA has voiced its worries repeatedly over the years and said it often contacts county councillors, who pass on their concerns to Herts County Council (HCC) to try to improve the situation, but with little success.
Michael Stimpson, RDRA chairman, said: “We have suggested moving the crossing or replacing it with a pelican crossing, but such ideas have been turned down by the Highways staff. A pelican crossing would, in our opinion, solve the problem and this could either be on the existing crossing site or perhaps be moved to outside the White Bear and operate in connection with the lights at the junction of Harefield Road.”
“We have suggested that speed of traffic on this stretch of road plays some part in the problem and have suggested that a 30 mph speed limit should apply all along this route – but the real need is for traffic lights to allow people to cross the road – very few cars will drive through a red light.”
“We will keep on fighting this battle.”
What are your thoughts on Batchworth Bridge? Email newsroom@mynewsmag.co.uk to let us know.
0 Comments