A BID to reduce the speed limit to 40mph on a road which has been a notorious accident blackspot looks likely to fail. St Albans highways joint membership panel called for the speed limit to be reduced on the section of the A5183 between St Albans and Red

A BID to reduce the speed limit to 40mph on a road which has been a notorious accident blackspot looks likely to fail.

St Albans highways joint membership panel called for the speed limit to be reduced on the section of the A5183 between St Albans and Redbourn at its meeting in January.

The panel had the backing of Herts Police and earlier this year a series of speed measurements were taken at several locations along the stretch of road which incorporates the notorious Pre Bends where there have been several fatal accidents over the years.

The measurements showed that while speeds had increased marginally since they were last taken in 2006, they were still in the main below the 60mph speed limit which applies on that section of road.

Most recent accident figures show that the seven recorded accidents along the stretch of road were classed as slight and none were speed related. The contributory factors were put down to lack of concentration and weather conditions.

But councillors have since been warned that implementing a 40mph limit might not meet relevant criteria and could be the subject of a number of formal objections if a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) was advertised.

They are now being asked to look at a number of other options to try to reduce speed there including the possibility of installing vehicle-activated signs or renewing road markings with the addition of edge marking to give the appearance of carriageway narrowing.

At its meeting next week the panel is being asked to decide whether it wishes to have further investigations carried out on either option before proceeding.