Ahead of the feasilbility study into traffic on the A505 between Royston and Baldock concluding next month, county councillors have told the Crow they are continuing to push for a long-term solution to the stretch’s problems.

Letters, emails and comments about the stretch have not stopped coming in at Crow HQ since we launched our Make the A505 Safer campaign last month, and our petition is nearing 1,000 signatures – but we know more will help our cause.

Herts county councillors, who represent Royston and some of the rural villages off the A505, have shared their concerns about the 70mph road – which is dotted with cut-throughs in the central reservation, and has short slip lanes and visibility problems.

Royston East and Ermine county councillor Fiona Hill said: “North Herts District councillor Tony Hunter – who was a county councillor until May 2017 – and myself were aware of the safety issues on the A505 between Royston and Baldock.

“Site meetings took place with officers from Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire county councils, police and councillors to explore possible options. “Some measures have been implemented – for example, white lines, vegetation removal and solar powered signage.

“Tony and myself also had meetings with Cambridgeshire councillors and residents to discuss safety issues.

“A further site meeting took place with campaigner Lynsey Langdon, North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald, HCC’s executive member for highways, HCC officers, Tony Hunter and myself.

“Following this meeting, a full feasibility study on the A505 was agreed and this is currently underway and has included cameras and a survey, with findings expected shortly.

“We are pushing for the study to produce suggestions, for a long term solution, which will resolve the long-awaited safety issues on this stretch of the A505.”

Royston West and Rural county councillor Steve Jarvis said: “Much of the A505 between Baldock and Royston is a very badly laid out road as the frequent accidents show.

“I am glad that the county council is now looking at solutions, but I am frustrated that it is more than a year since the investigation started.

“However, I am told that we can expect something next month, so the wait is nearly over.

“Changes will need to deal effectively with the problem junctions without forcing people from the villages to make unreasonably long detours or just moving the problem to another junction further along the road.

“Once there are a set of agreed proposals we will need to get the county council to pay for them.

At that stage we are competing for money with other areas of Hertfordshire which have roads which need improvement. The accident statistics will make part of the case for the A505 being at the top of the list but being able to show the level of concern amongst local people will help as well.

“Everyone can help with this by signing the Crow’s petition and encouraging their friends and neighbours to do likewise.”

To sign our petition go www.change.org/p/hertfordshire-county-council-make-the-a505-safer-between-royston-and-baldock.

You can also tweet or mention @roystoncrow on Twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #MakeTheA505Safer.

And you can send comments, opinions and stories to news@royston-crow.co.uk