A LONG-running campaign to reduce the speed limit along a main route into St Albans is finally beginning to pay off. The 60mph speed limit on the A5183 from between Hogg End Lane and the Batchwood roundabout will have a temporary reduction next year to s

A LONG-running campaign to reduce the speed limit along a main route into St Albans is finally beginning to pay off.

The 60mph speed limit on the A5183 from between Hogg End Lane and the Batchwood roundabout will have a temporary reduction next year to see if it makes the road safer.

The stretch between Hogg End Lane and the Pre Hotel will be reduced to 50mph and the speed limit will then reduce to 40mph before the road becomes a 30mph zone leading up to the roundabout.

The St Albans highways joint members' panel - with support from Herts Police, district councillors and local residents - had called for the speed limit to be reduced to 40mph for the whole of the section following a number of accidents.

Herts Highways originally refused the request as they believed it would be subject to a number of formal objections but they have since reached a compromise.

The new speed limit will be enforced in the new financial year and if successful campaigners hope that it will be made permanent.

Redbourn district councillor Tony Swendell said: "The result was not exactly what the petitioners were seeking but the final agreement was a reasonable compromise and is a big step in the right direction."

But he emphasised that the new speed limit would need to be enforced by the police, otherwise it would be a pointless exercise.

Cllr Swendell is also calling for bollards and a crossing outside the entrance to the Childwickbury estate to be installed as an additional safety measure.