14 Mar 2025
Pedestrians trying to navigate the pavement at a dangerous Fleetville junction have been taking their lives into their hands.
Roadworks outside Morrisons – where Hatfield Road meets Sutton Road – have resulted in one pavement shut off for digging, while the other side is strewn with signs and traffic lights.
The zebra crossing on Sutton Road has been closed and cordoned off and an alternative temporary light controlled crossing has been installed for the duration of the works.
This means walkers have to try and cross at the dangerous junction where cars are trying to make a speedy merge and a car can block off the crossing point.
The junction is a major route for schoolchildren and parents accessing nearby Fleetville Infant and Nursery School and Fleetville Junior, as well as supermarket shoppers and students from Verulam School and Oaklands College.
County councillor Anthony Rowlands intervened following complaints from residents about the dangers: “I immediately asked HCC Highways to inspect the site.
“The principal concern is for the safety of pedestrians who want to reach or are coming from the Hatfield Road. Their options are either walking on an unguarded part of the Sutton Road carriageway or crossing at the very busy Hatfield Road/Sutton Road mini roundabout by The Rat’s Castle.
“County have now instructed the contractors to provide a person to oversee the temporary crossing at peak times. However, despite being asked explicitly to do so, County have failed to address the obvious risk to pedestrians crossing by the mini-roundabout.
“I have contacted the Director of Highways to instruct his department to look again as a matter of urgency at the needs of pedestrians whilst this work is underway.”
Following this further intervention by Cllr Rowlands and neighbouring county councillor Chris White, HCC finally took steps to tackle the hazards.
This involves closing Sutton Road to traffic for the duration of the works, enabling pedestrians to safely cross the road and safely walk around the site within the closure
The road is expected to reopen on March 21, until which time motorists should be aware of the need to take a diversion around the closure.
Photos by Fraser Whieldon.
