Sandridge crossing point is proving a hazard for motorists

A CROSSING point in Sandridge jutting out into the road is causing "an accident a week" according to a local motorist.

Paul Edmond, of Tudor Road in Wheathampstead, believes he is one of many motorists who have been caught out by a build out - an extension of the kerb into the road - on the High Street in Sandridge opposite the St Leonard's Church bus stop.

The feature, which has a slightly higher edge than the rest of the kerb, is designed to create a safer High Street crossing point for users of the bus stop in Church End and, because it effectively narrows one side of the road, it is supposed to encourage drivers to reduce their speed upon entering the village.

But Paul said that his wife Anita had a shaky experience in December when she crashed into the build out: "Anita was following a bus in the evening and couldn't see the build out in the road so she went straight into it and ruined both nearside tyres. She was only travelling at 15mph."

He added: "It just seems ironic that the build out is supposed to be there to improve safety on the road but in fact it has probably caused more accidents than it has prevented. I have been reliably informed by a local resident that this is a common problem and that you often see motorists in the bus lay-by with flat tyres."

But a Herts county council spokesperson said that the build out has been in place for well over 10 years and stressed that there were bollards either side of the feature with light reflecting panels on them to alert motorists to their presence.

She added: "Other than this complaint from this resident, we do not seem to have received any complaints about this kerb and our records go back to 2004.

"There are also no recorded incidents that resulted in injury involving this build out for the last 15 years.