Calls for pedestrian crossing at busy Watford junction

Graeme Matthews wants a pedestrian crossing to be installed at a busy junction regularly used by schoolchildren, mothers with prams, as well as his own disabled mother.

Mr Matthews believes the lack of crossing where Langley Road meets St Albans Road is putting pedestrians at risk and he fears someone could die.

Around a week ago, he started a petition to try and get support for his wish to have a crossing installed and nearly 200 people have signed it.

Mr Matthews has also managed to grab the attention of Nascot county councillor, Mark Watkin, who contacted Hertfordshire County Council.

The council is now considering whether to undertake a review of the junction - which could lead to a crossing being installed if officers agree with Mr Matthews that there are safety concerns.

There are no pedestrian facilities at this junction. Shown is where Langley Road meets St Albans Road. Credit: Google Maps

In his petition, Mr Matthews says: "Two new high rise flats are being built in the area which will increase the pedestrian traffic down St Albans Road meaning that more people will have to cross this junction.

"According to the Crashmap website, there have been eight incidents in this area since 2016 and numerous vision-impaired residents, disabled residents, young mothers and able-bodied residents have contacted me telling me of the fear that they feel crossing the junction every day.

"The residents in this area need a pedestrian crossing at this junction before a schoolchild, young mother pushing a baby in a pram, a vision-impaired pedestrian, a disabled pedestrian or an able-bodied pedestrian gets seriously injured or killed crossing the road."

When the petitioner contacted Cllr Watkin about his concerns, a line among the reply he received stated: "The measure of actual risk or danger is based on the number of serious injuries or, heaven forbid, deaths. If this junction has not caused this level of pedestrian injury, then the highways authority will simply not agree to a crossing being installed there."

Mr Matthews told the Observer that he is "very concerned" that it appears that a serious incident needs to take place before any action will be taken.

He added: "I understand that they have to balance the needs of the motorists and pedestrians who use this junction. But I think it would be a tragedy if a pedestrian was either seriously injured or killed at this junction when this could be so easily avoided."

Graeme Matthews' mother, pictured, is among those who have difficulty crossing the road at this junction

A county council spokesperson said: "Road safety is of paramount importance to Hertfordshire County Council. We are considering whether a review of this junction meets the criteria for core highway funding. If it does not, after the May elections the elected county councillor for this area will be able to consider using their highway locality budget to fund a review of this junction.

"Hertfordshire County Council is happy to hear the views of Hertfordshire residents and petitions are one way that people can do this. If sufficient signatures are obtained, the petition will be considered by the appropriate council panel."

Pictured ahead is where Mr Matthews and his supporters would like a crossing to be installed, next door to the former Lloyds bank (left)

Cllr Watkin said: "I absolutely understand why people are frightened when trying to cross Langley Road, particularly from the Lloyds Bank side with cars coming round the bend at speed.

"It’s been far too long since this junction was last reviewed (14 years ago) so thank you to all the people who have contacted me to share their worries.

"Mr Matthews has done an excellent job in raising the issue in a visible way. I’m absolutely in support of his view and I’m full speed in supporting him and have a commitment to have the review done."

Mr Matthews' petition can be found here.