Watford Lower High Street Cycle Lane Danger for Cyclists and Wheelchair users
Corner of Water Lane and High Street by the Cotswold Store, the Blue Pyramid
Please sign our petition to Herts County Council for improvement of the dangerous junction with Water Lane and the Lower High Street contra flow cycle lane (Cotswold store “Blue Pyramid” corner). Just click on the link below, register or login to Herts CC Webpage and “sign” the petition. It is quick and easy.
We know by observation that 90% of drivers turning right into the High Street from Water Lane do not stop at the stop line and do not look right. In the past 18 months two SPOKES Members have been knocked off their bikes at this junction, both involved Police attendance and Hospital treatment. The major injury was to Mick Leonard this February, resulting in two hairline spine fractures, a wedge fracture in the spine, fractured wrist and now an elbow lump that potentially results from the accident is being investigated.
In a 20 minute observation of the junction in March, Mick Leonard observed 3 near misses including a powered wheelchair user who was nearly hit.
4 schemes have been submitted to HCC for funding from the Active Travel Fund, including a costed and approved design for this junction. We have registered a petition on HCC Website to make this junction an early priority before someone is killed.
If you live or work in the Watford locality, or use this cycle lane, please support this petition which can be found at: ePetition – Watford High St Cycle Lane danger (hertfordshire.gov.uk) Our response is urgent so we can submit it before the decision on the 4 projects is made.
Peter Jackson – SPOKES S W Herts Chairperson
