Man slams council for poles closing Rickmansworth high street

Nick Bateman, from Hampshire, has been battling with Hertfordshire County Council to resolve the issue after his car crashed at High Street, Rickmansworth, on March 16.

His wife Elaine, who grew up in the area, was driving to pick up her dad while it was dark outside with heavy rain.

The couple says that due to the conditions, the placement of the pole and the fact that it did not have a reflective strip to the side where cars turn right, it was not visible which led to the crash.

The damaged car

In November 2020, measures were put in place at the high street to close vehicles during certain hours to help ensure social distancing and make the town centre a safer place to walk.

Then in 2021, residents voted in favour of keeping the restrictions for the foreseeable future.

Nick Bateman argues that when turning right, the pole does not have a refelctive strip where it faces to make it obvious in dark and rainy settings

But Mr Bateman has said that if the gate and poles are to remain, then they should either be pushed further away from the road and should have clearer reflective strips.

He said: “It just looks like an accident waiting to happen. There’s a post on a bend, with no markings from that direction, and the lighting is dodgy at best when you factor in the darkness and rain.”

A reflective strip is at the front of the pole, but not on the other faces

As a result his car was “written off” and left damaged, and his wife – who is a carer – was left without a car until they sorted a replacement.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: “We’re sorry to hear about this collision.”

“The post does have reflective markings and is also underneath a lamp post that lights the area.

“The gate and post will be repaired in the coming weeks.”

Repairs will be amde to the gate and pole

According to the county council, traffic management was deployed to allow for “safe pedestrian movement” at the spot.

The spokesperson also explained that the restrictions ae being “constantly monitored and reviewed for safety”.