06 Dec 2023
Proposals to change the speed limits on the A5183 Redbourn Road are now out for consultation.
The scheme will cover the stretch of road between Batchwood roundabout (A4147) and the Redbourn roundabout junction (B487/A5183), and was originally proposed by former county councillor Annie Brewster (pictured).
Letters sent out by HCC to hundreds of homes suggested she could use her annual discretionary Highway Locality Budget to fund the project, but County Hall backtracked on this proposal after realising she was no longer a councillor. How the scheme will be funded now has yet to be confirmed.
This three-mile section has witnessed six fatalities and six serious accidents in the past six years, and 19 deaths in total since 1980.
Earlier this year, following a petition of more than 6,000 names and a year-long feasibility study, Herts county council finally recognised the need for action to improve road safety.
There are currently varying speed limits along the route including 30mph, 40mph, 50mph and 60mph.
Improvements to the carriageway, footway and maintenance have already taken place, but further works are considered necessary. The latest proposals consist of the following:
i) to consolidate the speed limit along the entire route to a longer stretch of 50mph;
ii) to change the 30mph speed limit at the northern end to 40mph;
iii) and to engage with road users on this route to encourage safer driving behaviours.
The aim of the project is to improve the safety of all road users on this strategic route, by managing the speed of vehicles, with an overall aim to reduce overtaking and improve driver behaviour to reduce collisions and road user injury. To comment, complete the survey at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/redbournroad before Friday December 22 2023.
