Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass

Berkhamsted Town Council supports the motion for safer crossings
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A Berkhamsted Town Councillor has called for safer crossings over the A41 by-pass at Berkhamsted and Northchurch.

Paul de Hoest has been using social media to raise awareness for the need for safer pedestrian crossings over by-pass and he says the overall response has been supportive.

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He said: "The issue is that there are four highly dangerous pedestrian crossings over the A41 by-pass at Berkhamsted and Northchurch that were created when the by-pass was constructed.

Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-passBerkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass
Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass

"The by-pass interrupted a series of historic rural footpaths that ran out from the town to the countryside and rather than build safe bridges or subways steps were built to the dual carriageway edge on each side and pedestrians were expected to dash across the main road.

"As the Green Belt and countryside footpaths are an important rural recreational amenity some brave people do use these crossings.

"However, Herts County Council, having never maintained the steps in the 27 years since they were constructed, are now claiming that these crossings were never a Right of Way and that they are now too dilapidated and unsafe to remain open and thus intend to close them permanently.

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"This forces anyone wishing to access the countryside from the west side of Berkhamsted to undertake a long and unpleasant detour.

The crossing point has been closedThe crossing point has been closed
The crossing point has been closed

"To all intents and purposes the impact of the two decisions, one 27 years ago and this one now, is to remove what were glorious recreational amenities.

"HCC have not publicised this consultation well and it is not to be found on their website but at each of the crossings a barrier has been erected to prevent use and a notice has been placed to inform the public of this decision and provide a statutory minimum period of time to comment.

"The motion being put forward to Berkhamsted Town Council is to demand that a safe crossing, either bridge or subway, is constructed and safe footpaths to and from that crossing are facilitated.

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"I have publicised this demand via local facebook groups (Everything Berko 2 (the nice version); Save our Moor; Save Bridle Way Green Belt and Transition Town Berkhamsted) and generally received an overwhelmingly positive response. Berkhamsted Citizens Association and Ramblers are also supportive."

Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-passBerkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass
Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass

Cllr Paul de Hoest prepared a draft motion on the A41 crossing closure, public consultation and spoke at the Transport and Environment Committee

He added: "I think it went well, we had a good discussion about the issue. Berkhamsted Town council will support the views on a safer crossing and have supported my motion, Berkhamsted Citizens Association have also supported the calls for a safer crossing.

"The main thing is to get a safer crossing there, over the years the steps have not been maintained and the traffic on the road has increased, making it unsafe there.

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"If people object to the crossing being permanently closed they need to get in touch with Hertfordshire County Council and tell them that they object to it being closed.

Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-passBerkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass
Berkhamsted Town councillor calls for safer crossings over A41 by-pass

"Concerned walkers need to contact [email protected] to respond to the Council. The deadline is the end of July."

Tony Noakes, Berkhamsted Town Council Town Clerk said: "The motion was passed last night and it was considered that it was in the interest of residents that a safer road crossing be considered.

"We are fully aware that it could be difficult to get that because of the cost, but for many years we have had an issue about the safety of the crossing.

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"As a town council, we fully support his motion for a safer crossing, for the safety of residents.

"We also had Berkhamsted Citizens Association at the meeting, who also supported the motion.

"We know both central and local governments are under a lot of pressure at the moment but a safer crossing is important for residents and the town."

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council, said: “Due to the deteriorating condition of the steps and handrail leading down to the A41 and the risk posed to the public by crossing the A41, the county council have taken the decision to temporarily close the crossings.

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“We are now considering permanently closing the crossings, which became our responsibility in 2003. As we are sure you will appreciate, crossing the A41 can be dangerous as this section is a 70mph dual carriageway that is heavily trafficked and has seen a significant increase in traffic since construction.

“We therefore feel that it is sensible to close the crossings and to encourage crossing at nearby bridges/underpasses. To further minimise inconvenience, at crossings where there is no alternative route, our Rights of Way team are looking to forge new paths. For example, at footpath 21a they are looking at forging a path to Denny’s Lane underpass.

“Although it may seem the case, there is no public right of way at these crossings and they only constitute an informal/unofficial crossing, so we are not obliged to provide access here. Any signage to the contrary is incorrect (which we are looking to rectify).

“The cost of any footbridge or underpass here would run into several millions and given the proximity of nearby bridges/underpasses and the relatively low usage at the crossings (vs similar sites across Hertfordshire) it is very unlikely to be considered an option.

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"I am sure you will appreciate that our funding is limited, and we have a need to prioritise schemes that offer the greatest benefit to Hertfordshire’s residents.

“We are encouraging residents to share their views on the proposed closure via [email protected]

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