Calls to resolve speeding along London Colney High Street

London Colney’s high street is said to be plagued by drivers whizzing through or “showing off” their modified cars.

According to the village’s councillors, residents have had enough and fear someone will be killed if action is not taken.

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Speaking at a St Albans District Council meeting on Wednesday, London Colney councillor Guy Gampell said: “I have lived close to London Colney High Street for 22 years and for as long as I can recall, I’ve been able to hear speeding motorists.

“This year, there have been two almighty smashes at the top of the high street. The first took out the railings at the bottom of the footbridge…the second smash took out road signs and street lamps a few metres from the same spot. It left a transit van on its side and those inside ran off…”

London Colney high street resident Clare Potter pictured with London Colney Lib Dem councillor Guy Gampell (Image: London Colney Liberal Democrats)

The Lib Dem councillor continued: “During canvassing, it was no surprise that speeding on the high street was raised by residents. Properties crashed into, damage to cars. [And they asked] Why won’t they act, are they waiting for someone to be killed?”

Collision data website Crash Map shows 17 crashes recorded on the high street between 2017 and 2021. Cllr Gampell says he has spoken to Hertfordshire County Council but was told to take his concerns about speeding to police.

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A van crashed in London Colney High Street, near London Colney roundabout, earlier this year. Image: London Colney Liberal Democrats (Image: London Colney Liberal Democrats)

But accepting police cannot be there to enforce all the time, Cllr Gampell says more permanent measures are needed and has suggested a speed camera, 20mph limit, or chicanes could help. “Better” speed bumps have also been suggested – councillor Liz Needham, who works off High Street, said they were “useless” in slowing drivers down.

A petition by the St Albans Lib Dems has been signed by 110 people and a motion calling for an expert to come up with recommendations was backed by colleagues at Wednesday’s meeting.

Responding to the motion, Conservative highways member Phil Bibby said: "I am sorry to learn of the poor driving along the High Street, and the damage and distress this is causing, although local issues, such as these, are ideally addressed by local councillors in discussions with their allocated officers/engineers and police, providing funding from their highways locality budgets, if appropriate.

"However, Hertfordshire is looking to introduce 20mph speed limits in parts of London Colney, including sections of the High Street, as part of our programme to implement such limits in suitable areas countywide.  

"We will, indeed, undertake speed surveys to help us understand what traffic calming measures would be required to slow vehicles down but, because of the high number of potential schemes, prioritisation of the work is necessary. We will be consulting local residents in another part of London Colney in the near future, about introducing 20mph limits in their streets.”

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