A lack of funds has limited safety improvements on a narrow bridge over a popular local trail which was the site of a collision last week.

The bridge, in between Station Road and Smallford Lane, Smallford, has been called “unsafe” by St Albans district councillor for Colney Heath Chris Brazier, who has been campaigning for traffic lights to be placed there for over 10 years.

Cllr Brazier believes signals should be placed at the location in order for one vehicle to be allowed to cross at a time.

He added that as a result of a van crashing into the footpath on Monday, November 3, it looks like it could collapse.

But a Herts county council (HCC) spokesperson said that although they would like to be in a position to address all road safety concerns, they had limited funds and had to prioritise work ‘most urgently needed’.

He added: “Due to the small number of times the bridge has been struck and personal injury collisions, we cannot justify introducing changes at this location. However, we will continue to monitor the situation.”

The bridge has been struck four times in the last 30 years and there has been one personal injury collision in the last five years.

Temporary traffic lights are expected to be in place until November 18 according to a Ringway spokeswoman; for information visit www.roadworks.org

A spokeswoman for Herts Police said that Marek Walczak, 41, of Northolt, had 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.