A WOMAN who has been campaigning for safety barriers to protect her property believes she may now have to move. Sarah Beardow, of Barkway Street, Royston, has been campaigning for the past two years to get the Highways Agency to erect barriers after a ser

A WOMAN who has been campaigning for safety barriers to protect her property believes she may now have to move.

Sarah Beardow, of Barkway Street, Royston, has been campaigning for the past two years to get the Highways Agency to erect barriers after a series of accidents led to a considerable amount of damage to her property.

In April, a drunk-driver crashed a stolen car into her house after losing control turning the bend where Priory Lane meets Barkway Street.

The accident caused considerable damage to Mrs Beardow's home - and work has only just started on repairing the property.

Not only did the crash leave damage to her home, including the wall structures, front door and frames, it also left Mrs Beardow feeling "vulnerable".

Mrs Beardow, 68, said: "I don't want to move. I'm nearly 69 and do not need the upheaval. All I want to do is feel safe in my home and at my age I should be enjoying life, not having to deal with this."

In June 2004, a tractor trailer overturned outside Mrs Beardow's home throwing manure over the front of the property and damaging walls, windows and guttering.

Since then Mrs Beardow has been campaigning to protect the terrace of houses at the end of Barkway Street.

She has written to Royston's MP Oliver Heald and the Highways Agency in what adds up to more than two years of correspondence.

She said: "At the moment there are no speed markings, chevrons and no warning of a sharp bend ahead. We need some kind of barrier or railing outside because this will protect the properties as well as the pedestrians along the pavement. Drivers do not realise when they come around the corner how sharp the bend is and without a warning sign this will keep happening. It's imperative something is done soon before someone is seriously hurt or even killed.

"I told them this would happen again and it has," she said.

In response to Mrs Beardow's letters, the Highways Agency stated that funds for a pedestrian guard rail would not be available until sometime in 2006-07.

However, responsibility for the road is due to be handed over to Herts County Council.

Royston and District committee chairman Cllr Fiona Hill said: "As far as I am concerned this is a safety issue and one that I will certainly be pushing for.

"This is of high importance as the road definitely needs some protection.

"The issue has been discussed at the last area committee, and will be sorted out after the detrunking has been sorted out."

Mrs Beardow, who has lived at the property for 11 years, said: "Incidents like this have happened far too often and since I have been here it's happened about four or five times.

"We need something done and soon. At the moment I live in hope and I am optimistic that it can be sorted out. However, if this continues I will very seriously consider selling up.