Man arrested after bridge crash in St Albans

Warnings about an “unsafe”, narrow bridge over a popular local trail have been repeated following a traffic collision.

A man has been arrested after a van crashed into Smallford bridge, between Station Road and Smallford Lane, at about 7pm on Monday (3).

Temporary traffic lights have been put in place, and the bridge has been closed to pedestrians to allow for repair work.

But the crash has prompted St Albans district councillor for Colney Heath Chris Brazier to again call out for improvements to the small bridge, which crosses over the Alban Way, a 6.5 mile trail for cyclists and walkers between the city and Hatfield.

Cllr Brazier said he began campaigning for traffic lights to be placed at the bridge over 10 years ago.

He criticised Herts county council for not placing signals at the location, to allow just one vehicle to cross at a time, as promised years ago.

Cllr Brazier explained: “It’s a very narrow bridge. I’ve always been concerned about there being a two-way lane across it, particularly as you have heavy articulated lorries crossing it to go to Glinwell Nursery in Smallford. It’s unsafe.”

Cllr Brazier said that as a result of the crash, “the footpath looks like it could collapse”.

• A spokeswoman for Herts Police said that Marek Walczak, 41, of Northolt, has been charged with failing to provide a specimen for analysis. He has been released on bail to appear St Albans Magistrates’ Court on November 25.