Safety improvements to the A505 between Royston and Baldock may not happen until 2020/21, according to the Royston and villages county councillor involved in discussions about the changes.
It’s been 10 weeks since the feasibility study into safety improvements concluded, and the community – including the Crow – are growing frustrated at the lack of information regarding the outcome of the study.
But, county councillor for Royston West and Rural Steve Jarvis has told the Crow he is being consulted on the feasilbility design, and the report, which he says covers all the junctions from the Litlington turn to the radio station.
He said: “My main concern about the first draft I saw in March was that it proposed banning right turns out of the Ashwell station turning at Odsey.
“I suggested that they should look into building a roundabout there and I am pleased to say that is now what they are going to propose – as well as one at Slip End.
“I think that these two roundabouts, together with banning traffic coming out of the other side roads from turning right should deal with most of the problems, without causing too much inconvenience to those who use the side roads.
“The news on when this will all happen is less good. In March it seemed possible that the work might be done in 2019/20 financial year. They are now saying that it is more likely to be 2020/21. I am still hopeful that we can get this improved and am working to see what can be done about this.”
A Herts County Council spokesman told the Crow: “The feasibility design has been discussed with the local county councillor and we are currently in the process of defining the scope, delivery mechanism and programme for the scheme.
“Due to the nature of the works and the category of the road this needs to be carefully managed to ensure that the scheme is developed and delivered effectively.
“There will be an official consultation phase which will give stakeholders the opportunity to comment on the emerging plans.”
Royston Mum-of-three Lynsey Langdon, who started her safety campaign after her husband Greig broke his back in a crash at Slip End 2016, said: “I feel cheated that it has taken this long. I asked for a feasibility study nearly two years ago and it’s not good enough.
“If feels like we are not making any progress – we want results now.”
The Crow launched our Make the A505 Safer campaign back in January – to sign our petition, which will be presented to Herts County Council, go to www.change.org/p/hertfordshire-county-council-make-the-a505-safer-between-royston-and-baldock.
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