The barrier at the end of Bourne End Lane and other issues ......

A member of Hertfordshire Highways met with Gordon Rolfe, Chris Mabley and John Mawer on Thursday of this week regarding the development at Bourne End Mills.  A number of issues were discussed, not least the importance of separating traffic between Upper Bourne End Lane and Bourne End Lane yet allowing pedestrian access.

·         The separation of traffic including motorbikes was seen as one of the fundamentals of the project from the outset.  There was no disagreement on this and an acceptance that bollards were not an adequate solution.

·         The prospect of moving the turning head back more towards Bourne End Lane had a number of advantages.  It would,

o   create an more rural feel by introducing a green area between the industrial and residential areas;

o   Increase the separation to the point that Bourne End Lane would not be visible from the other side of the barrier;

o   and create an open area for the village and improved outlook for the new houses.

·         There will be an increase in pedestrian traffic in Bourne End Lane both to the industrial estate and to the residential area.  In particular, children will be going to school by bus from the A4251. Reducing the speed of traffic and the likelihood of HGVs entering Bourne End Lane should be reduced.  The introduction of an apparent narrowing at the entrance, and an emphasis on the lane as residential would help achieve this.

·         Wherever the turning head was situated, it would require enforceable parking restriction.

·         A continuous footpath on the on the Watermill side of the road is seen as a particularly pressing safety need with the increase in size of the village.

·         The introduction of a 40mph speed limit near the church as the village is entered from Berkhamsted has already been mooted and again becomes more pressing with the increase in the village.  It was put to us that hard evidence would be required to get this actioned.

All the points were taken on board as valid and viewed constructively.  We can only hope!