Traffic woes spark survey for potential zebra crossing

A speeding hotspot could be remedied with traffic safety measures after residents raised their concerns about crossing the busy road.
County councillor Nick Hollinghurst with residents of Longbridge Close, who want a zebra crossing installed on Icknield Way to make their childrens' journeys to school saferCounty councillor Nick Hollinghurst with residents of Longbridge Close, who want a zebra crossing installed on Icknield Way to make their childrens' journeys to school safer
County councillor Nick Hollinghurst with residents of Longbridge Close, who want a zebra crossing installed on Icknield Way to make their childrens' journeys to school safer

The stretch of road under fire is part of the Icknield Way in Tring, from Icknield Green right up to the roundabout junction with Bulbourne Road.

A footpath, which crosses the section of road between Chapel Meadow and New Road, is often used by joggers, dog walkers and children making their way to school from their homes in nearby Longbridge Close.

Nick Hollinghurst, county councillor for Tring, says he has just signed off a feasibility survey for the area this week, which will measure the speed and volume of the traffic.

It is hoped the £6,600 survey – the cost of which will be taken out of Mr Hollinghurst’s locality budget – will flag up the evidence needed for county hall to agree to 
implement traffic calming measures – namely a zebra crossing or crossing island.

Mr Hollinghurst said: “This problem is the top of my priority list. If they install a zebra crossing, it will help the traffic to slow down because when motorists see one, they do respect it.”

The stretch of road is hailed a speeding hotspot by locals, who say significant numbers of motorists fail to slow to 30mph despite the drop in speed limit from 40mph.

Mr Hollinghurst says he is also proposing an extension of the 30mph limit up to the entrance of Tring Corinthians Football Club to improve safety. The survey is due to take place in September, once normal traffic has resumed following the summer holidays, to give accurate results.