Pedestrian crossing to benefit School Mead

10.24.00am GMT Thu 8th Feb 2007

Years of campaigning from Liberal Democrat councillors were rewarded last night, when the Three Rivers Highways Panel agreed to install a Zebra crossing in Hazelwood Lane at School Mead.

Three sites were suggested for the crossing, with the site nearest to Tanners Wood School having to be ruled out, due to poor visibility for drivers coming around the sharp bend. The preferred site is a few metres further down the road towards the new shops & flats development.

The crossing is being paid for with money given by the developers of the new School Mead flats and homes. Originally the Conservative-run county council had said that the money would be spent elsewhere in the south west Hertfordshire area, but County Councillor Paul Goggins persuaded the panel that a crossing was needed here.

Speaking after the meeting Paul said, "I am delighted that we are now on the way to getting a crossing in Hazelwood Lane. This will be used by schoolchildren and shoppers, and also those crossing the road to catch a bus into Watford".

Engineering and safety checks are now being carried out and work on the crossing should start later this year.