Drivers face a month of commuting chaos as roadworks bring London Colney to a standstill.
HCC (Herts county council) has started work to replace aging and faulty traffic lights at the roundabout where the A414 meets the A1081.
The new “intelligent” signals will detect how heavy congestion is in each direction and automatically modify its timings accordingly.
However, there have already been long tailbacks, congestion, and reports of dangerous manoeuvres being performed in an attempt to outwit the lane closures around the roadworks.
There will be resurfacing after the lights are installed, and works are scheduled to continue until August 31.
A driver caught up in a jam at the junction, but who would like to remain anonymous, said: “I was driving to the A414 from London Road early on Saturday afternoon and was shocked to see such a long queue.
“I originally assumed it was due to some sort of crash on the M25, but it was actually these roadworks on the roundabout, with not a worker in sight.”
Workman are on site from 7am to 7pm, but lane closures are in place 24/7 - HCC says this is necessary for road safety.
Traffic lights will be turned off for the duration of the roadworks.
The driver continued: “That I’ve heard nothing from HCC about this, despite living on London Road, is appalling I think.
“They really need to get better at telling people these things are going on as now we’re facing four weeks of delays and confusion on what is already quite a small, busy roundabout.”
HCC cabinet member for highways, Phil Bibby, said: “We’re carrying out these works during the school holidays when traffic is lighter to minimise disruption.
“I hope people will bear with us while we carry out these important works. While they will cause some delays for traffic using the roundabout, the end result will be more reliable and better managed traffic lights, and that will improve journeys through this important junction.”
He added that all the roadworks were advertised on boards at the roundabout, and on social media, in the weeks leading up to July 23 when work began.
For more information about the roadworks, visit www.roadworks.org. If you’ve been affected contact hertsad@archant.co.uk
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