Following a series of traffic accidents a set of roundabouts in Cowley Hill are to be rebuilt.

The work will start in mid-November, and should be completed by December. Hedges which block visibility at the roundabouts will be removed, and larger traffic islands will be built.

New traffic-calming measures will be introduced in Gateshead Road and Hartforde Road, and should be completed by January.

The works were already due, but the emphasis has now been placed on improving the roundabouts, after a serious accident.

On September 31, 13-month-old Megan Lightfoot, from Stanborough Avenue, Borehamwood, died following an accident at the junction of Hartforde Road and Cowley Hill.

Another collision took place on Friday, at the junction of Potters Lane and Cowley Hill. One person received minor injuries, and was treated at Barnet Hospital.

Engineering company Mouchel is organising the work, and decided to give priority to improving the roundabouts following a public outcry after the accident.

Project engineer Malcolm Watts said: "When we first took the contract to improve the road, we put a deflection traffic island at Gateshead Road and Potters Lane roundabouts, and the speed limit was reduced to 30mph.

"We didn't think there would be a problem, but people didn't take notice of the speed limit," he said.

Councillor Martin Heywood, who represents the Cowley Hill ward, said he had received dozens of complaints about the safety of the roundabouts.

"Since the fatal accident there have been at least three accidents on those roundabouts."

October 17, 2001 12:17