Traffic signals trial to begin at Colney Heath longabout

The first step in long-awaited improvements at a dangerous local junction on the A414 begins today (Monday) with the start of a traffic signals trial.

This afternoon, signals will be in operation at the Colney Heath longabout - a move which has been welcomed by local councillors.

There has been a catalogue of accidents at the traffic blackspot, some of which have resulted in the deaths of motorists. The junction was installed over 20 years ago, when there was far less traffic.

Herts county council promised improvements two years ago, but they failed to materialise for various reasons.

The proposed installation of lights was opposed by Herts Police last year, as they believed that traffic from the Hatfield roundabout to the London Colney roundabout on the A414 should be left to flow freely.

But the junction is a nightmare for drivers from Colney Heath, who sometimes have to wait for up to 40 minutes in long traffic jams to exit the village and get onto the A414.

St Albans district councillor for Colney Heath Chris Brazier said the five-day trial would end on Friday.

County councillor for the Colneys, Dreda Gordon, said: “Obviously I’m pleased that after all this time the council is finally putting something in place.

“The road is very busy, so someone will be present during the whole trial as it is a complex site. But I’m very glad it is going ahead and I hope it helps address some of the access issues.”

The council intends operating the signals mainly during the day, between 6am-8pm, and they will be manned at all times to allow for adjustments to timings, for example should traffic start to build up.