Highways Committee Meeting
Date: 27 April 2010

Two Eleven members of the Action Group attended the recent Highways Committee meeting at The Civic Centre in Borehamwood at which a written response was to be given to our Petition that was submitted in October.

We had a number of placards which were placed strategically around the Council Chamber prior to the meeting.  Unfortunately the Chairman of the meeting Cllr Donne told us in no uncertain terms to take them down as this was not a public place!!!

The report which we had been told by the Assistant District Manager would not be available to us until after the meeting, had in fact been available to us five days prior to the meeting.  Cllr Donne said we should have known this.  When I pointed out that we had been advised otherwise he continued that we should have known better!! 

There was some discussion of the report which we were unable to make much impact on as we had not read it. Much was made of the fact that the 40mph limit had still not been extended and two councillors were most vociferous in their condemnation of Highways for not having done this.  Mr Goodyear, the Assistant Manager of Hertfordshire Highways then gave his personal assurance that this work would be carried out in May, although he did not say which year!

Mark Blundell has sought permission before the meeting to speak and this had been given.  However when he asked to speak Cllr Donne refused to allow it.  Only after insisting and pointing out his right to do so was Mark eventually allowed to speak.  Members of the public are allowed three minutes only. It was perfectly clear that Cllr Donne did not want us to be there let alone speak as he was constantly looking at his watch and clearly not listening to a word of Mark’s address and indeed with one sentence left he rudely called time.  Below is the text of Mark’s address.  Perhaps if anyone knows Cllr Donne they might show it to him so that he could read it.

From our point of view it was a most unsatisfactory meeting and extremely poorly run.  We all felt let down by Cllr Donne and particularly by Hertfordshire Highways yet again.

Once we have had a chance to study the report we will let you know our thoughts and what further action we will be taking.      

Address to Highways Committee

When we presented the petition back in October I was full of hope for the democratic process.  Almost 1000 people, residents of Shenley had supported our wish for something to be done along Shenleybury and Black lion Hill to reduce the risk of any further serious or heaven forbid fatal accidents.

Since then I have met with the Assistant District Manager of the Hertfordshire Highways team both in his office and on site.  Each time the attitude has been one of why things cannot be done.  He has been very down beat about our chances and subsequent events have proved to me why he feels this way.

Some 18 months ago it was agreed that the 40 mph speed limit on Shenleybury would be extended to beyond the junction with Farm Close.  We were told in February that it would be moved by the end of March.  March came and went. Then we were told it would be moved early in the new financial year.  Now they tell us that they cannot give a date by when it will be moved.  Why is this?

I took the matter up with Hertfordshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways & Transport. His final word on the matter to me was “I do not recall anyone being killed as yet though”

What hope is there for any kind of measures to slow the traffic on this stretch of road when you are unable to carry out the simple task of extending a speed limit zone? We are staggered by the lack of urgency and purpose shown by the officers in this case and by the Executive Member for Highways & Transport for his dismissive high handed irresponsible arrogance.

Deaths will occur on this road if measures are not put in place to slow the traffic to the legal limit. A speed gun is not the answer.  Our Police cannot be on site all day every day.  There is a school here and children have to cross the road in an unrestricted speed limit zone which has neither street lighting nor working lighting in the bollards.  They walk along overgrown pavements in single file with traffic rushing past at excessive speeds.  There has already been one serious accident in which a child was almost killed and his Mother is here today.  It is a miracle that more children have not been injured.  Do we really have to wait until somebody, a child is killed?  Is that the only thing that will spur the Council into action?

Unless the Council act now we will all have blood on our hands for not having done everything possible to make this exceptionally dangerous road safer for everyone.  If, or when someone dies my conscience will be clear, will yours?

I ask the Council to fulfil its promise to extend the speed limit without delay

To take the decision to install a roundabout at the junction with Farm Close

To install a Pegasus crossing at Bridleway 13 or build a chicane on Black Lion Hill.

Don’t let the residents of Shenley down any more

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