I have been discussing with Herts Highways their plans to stop right turns in and out of St Vincent Drive. After consulting on four options the safety engineers were still recommending the no right turn plan, even though this was not the most popular of the options. I have now agreed that there will be two trials. The first removes the second traffic signals just after St Vincent Drive and allows an extra couple of seconds to allow vehicles to clear the junction. There will also be a dedicated right turn lane into St Vincent. The downside is this could increase queue lengths during the rush hours. The second trial will be with the no right turn in and out of St Vincent in place. Each trial will last six months unless there are serious traffic management problems in which case the trial will be ended early. Traffic movement monitors will be in place before the trials start so any conclusions can be evidence based.

The new date for the re-surfacing of Foxcroft,  Rodney and Ramsay, has been announced. The works are now due to take place on 5^th October.

After a long delay resident’s of Wynchlands Crescent are getting the speed table and waiting restrictions they were promised as a condition of the planning permission for the childrens home. I responded to requests from residents about the delay and eventually ensured that the necessary agreements were signed to allow the works to begin. The drainage has to be put in first followed by the table and the whole job should take another 4 weeks or so. 

Herts Highways have now agreed that a pedestrian crossing is needed for Camp Road near Dellfield and Campfield Road. The new humped crossing will take the place of the current chicane and will allow safe crossing and control traffic speeds. The design is now going out for consultation and neighbouring residents should receive a letter very soon. The installation date is scheduled for end 2010 but I am trying to get this brought forward.

St Albans District Council is preparing to defend its decision not to grant planning permission for the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI), following Helioslough’s second planning application for the depot.

Helioslough lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate on 24th July, against St Albans City and District Council’s refusal to grant planning permission for the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) on 20th July. A letter will shortly be sent to all residents who took a part in the planning consultation informing them of the appeal. 

The Planning Inspector has announced that the Inquiry will commence on the 24th November and is scheduled for 16 days. Once the Inquiry has taken place, the Planning Inspector will send a report to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government who will make the final decision.

Planning Consultation – Emerging Core Strategy

Visit your local venue below to view the consultation or go online now at:
www.stalbans.gov.uk. The consultation closes on 28 Sep, 2009.

Tues, 1 Sep
1pm to 6pm
Colney Heath Village Hall
St Albans
AL4 OPS

Wed, 2 Sep
1pm to 6.30pm
Sandridge Village Hall
71 St Albans Rd
St Albans
AL4 9LH

Thurs, 3 Sep
1pm to 6.30pm
Wheathampstead Memorial Hall
Hewitt Room
Marford Rd
Herts
AL4 8AY

Fri, 4 Sep
1pm to 5pm
Harpenden Park Hall
Leyton Rd
AL5 2LX

Sat, 5 Sep
9.30am to 12noon
Harpenden Park Hall
Leyton Rd
AL5 2LX

Mon, 7 Sep
12noon to 7pm
Chiswell Green Greenwood Park Community Centre
Tippendell Lane,
Herts
AL2 3HW

Wed, 9 Sep
12noon to 7pm
Redbourn Village Hall
63 High Street
Herts

Thurs, 10 Sep
12noon to 7pm
London Colney Adventure World
Perham Way
Herts
AL2 1LB

Sat, 12 Sep
10am to 4pm
St Albans Central Library
The Maltings
AL1 3JQ

The St Albans Review reports that a letter to members has been sent by St Albans Conservative’s Deputy Chairman concerning the de-selection of Anne Main.

The letter reads: “The initial actions to de-select Anne Main were as a direct result of information about poll data obtained by Central Office informing us that our seat is likely to be lost to the Liberal Democrats, with a significant contributing factor being the public’s perception of Anne Main’s expenses claims.”

So there we have it the Conservatives are tipping the Liberal Democrat candidate Sandy Walkington to win at the general election!

Residents have commented on the fact that the potholes in Flinders Close were not repaired whilst all the nearby roads were. This is the crazy world of highways asset management. Despite having all the equipment in the area they would not fix the Flinders Close road surface because it was not in the Integrated Works Plan to be done. Despite my protests they insist it will have to wait until next year when it is in the plan. This is yet another example of Herts Highways wasting tax payers money by not changing plans to ones that make more sense.

I have now negotiated with the local team to have the pot holes filled so they do not have to wait for anther 12 months.

The other nearby roads, Foxcroft, Rodney Avenue and Ramsay Close should now be resurfaced in the next few weeks.

A planning application has now been submitted for the advertising panels on a new bus shelter. The new shelter is for the bus stop opposite Mile House Lane. This is a necessary first step and once permission is granted will allow the new bus shelter to be erected.