Work on an underpass linking a residential area with Royston railway station is not likely to begin for another two or three years. The £3.25million underpass will be built at Coombes Hole if negotiations go smoothly. A number of schemes were put forward

Work on an underpass linking a residential area with Royston railway station is not likely to begin for another two or three years.

The £3.25million underpass will be built at Coombes Hole if negotiations go smoothly.

A number of schemes were put forward by Hertfordshire County Council for either a footbridge or an underpass at various locations.

Members of the highways and transport panel came to a decision last year and chose an underpass, even though it was a more expensive option.

They dismissed the idea of a footbridge because of the visual impact it would have had on the neighbouring residential area as well as the amount of land it would have used.

A county council spokesman said: "If the underpass is erected, ground work will not begin for at least another two-to-three years.

"The structural element of the subway should, however, be agreed with Network Rail by early spring."

- A woman from Royston who was in collision with a train two weeks ago is still in hospital with head and limb injuries.

The woman, who has not been named, was involved in the accident west of the station at a designated unmanned crossing point near Green Drift, which links the Baldock Road area to the Orchard Road industrial estate.

County Councillor Doug Drake said: "It's terrible when these things happen.