“No Lockfield Houses before New Road Traffic is sorted out!”, says Lara Pringle, LD Northchurch Candidate

Lockfield, off New Road, Northchurch is being considered for development after 2031, though this could be earlier. At the moment it is railway land and provides access to the track from a public road. As such it is infrequently used and generates very little traffic.

In the left hand picture you can see Lara Pringle discussing the matter with her Lib Dem colleague, Tring County Councillor, Nick Hollinghurst. They both agreed that residential development would result in significantly more traffic to and from the site - and on a daily basis.

Lara explained to Nick that there are huge traffic issues in Northchurch in general, with New Road now taking far more traffic than ever before. The narrow bridge acts as a chicane but does not always slow the traffic down. Sometimes traffic actually speeds up to cross the bridge before someone else.

Lara feels that New Road and the High Street are both part of the same problem.

She said,"I very much support the group campaigning for 20 mph speed restrictions.

However, but I feel it should include New Road and start near the junction with Bridgewater Hill."

She continued, "Personally I feel that the site is completely unsuitable for housing. I certainly wouldn't want to live so close to a high speed rail line. However the government has drastically reduced planning restrictions recently and so it is now much easier to get permission to build on Previously Used Land - which Lockfield clearly is.

But if Dacorum Borough Council - which is our local Planning Authority - does ever grant permission, then I would look to the developer to make a significant contribution towards road safety in Northchurch - a mini roundabout at the site entrance, traffic calming on New Road and the High Street and speed tables at each of the crossing points."

She concluded, "But whatever is decided we can't wait till 2031 for our 20 mph zone in Northchurch!"