Councillor promises death trap ‘danger parking’ in rural lane will be alleviated by yellow lines

Residents living in and around Felden Lane – near Hemel Hempstead’s train station – are up in arms at the surge in cars parked along Felden Lane, which has allegedly caused several collisions and near-misses between passing traffic.

Though police say just one road traffic accident has been recorded at the site since the beginning of December – involving a blue Volkswagen Golf which went up a grass verge and overturned – officers say damage-only collisions do not always result in the force being called out.

Jean Houston, of nearby Sheethanger Lane, said: “We have got a major problem here.

“It is a blind bend and people are parking right up to it – there have been lots of accidents.

“There is no pavement and the road is used by schoolchildren – they either have to walk on the road or go through the woods – so they could either get squashed by a car or attacked.

“There is going to be a death. Someone is going to get killed – I think it’s a disgrace.”

Ms Houston and other residents have attended Neighbourhood Action meetings about the issue, which has been exaggerated by development work adjacent to the road.

Herts county councillor for the Kings Langley Richard Roberts, whose division covers the village of Felden, assured his constituents that he has asked council officers to introduce yellow lines in the perilous section of Felden Lane.

The cost of the scheme – estimated to be between £4,000 and £6,000 – will be funded from his highways locality budget for the next financial year.

Preparations for the work, including investigations and consultation, can begin from April 1, but a council spokesman said that in the meantime, drivers are asked to be considerate when parking and bear in mind the possible dangers to other road users of causing obstructions.

Mr Roberts said: “This has been rumbling on for years, but in the last year the amount of parking taking place on the hill has increased dramatically.

“People are now going right up to the narrow, steep bend where you wouldn’t expect people to sensibly park.

“There is a development opposite and the combination has made the potential for accidents higher.

“I took the decision last autumn to action yellow lines and hope there will be paint on the road by the year’s end – but a big issue here is why we have got such pressure on parking in this part of Dacorum.”

Mr Roberts cited lack of parking – and possibly the price for leaving your car – at Hemel Hempstead’s railway station as possible factors contributing to the problem.

A spokesman for Herts Police said: “Police have received reports of obstructive parking on Felden Lane in Hemel Hempstead.

“Officers have attended the location, however any long term solution would need to be taken forward by the highways authority.

“We would urge motorists to be mindful when parking along Felden Lane and make sure they are not causing an obstruction to other road users.”

Do you have a view on the parking situation for those travelling to work via train? Get in touch at [email protected]