Mr Rupert Thacker Programmes and Strategy Manager HCC Highways Studio Four 37 Broadwater Rd, Welwyn Garden City AL7 3AX 29 May 2020 Dear Rupert, Berkhamsted - Highway Social Distancing Options I am writing on behalf of Berkhamsted Town Council to follow up on the recent conversation you had with Cllr Wendy Conian, late last week. As indicated during the conversation, following recent Government advice, we would like to work with HCC Highways to quickly investigate and implement measures to improve social distancing for pedestrians and safer zones for cyclists here in Berkhamsted. We have seen the early interventions HCC Highways have made in Borehamwood, Bishops Stortford, Hertford and Watford and list below some possible options for Berkhamsted. As you will be aware, some of the suggested measures align well with our longer term aims. However, everything listed below would contribute immediately to the aim of safer social distancing and the Government’s encouragement of walking and cycling as preferred modes of transport. As a Town Council we are very keen to progress matters locally to improve the safety, quality and sustainability of our integrated travel infrastructure. We would therefore welcome the opportunity to implement the following measures quickly, to facilitate the safe reopening of the town’s schools, businesses and day to day life. To that end, we look forward to discussing these measures with you at the earliest opportunity and to your advice on practicability, legal/consultation requirements and alternative access for residents in areas which might be affected by the proposed changes. Town Centre Footways and Highways 1. Removal of High Street parking bays to widen pavements for pedestrians and bus users. The Civic Centre 161 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 3HD 01442 800152 [email protected] 2. Lower Kings Road – pavements need to be wider for safe social distancing; carriageway would need reducing but would require HCC input to determine best way to achieve. 3. Institute a programme of regular closure of the High Street to traffic – to allow local businesses to implement socially distanced operations by utilising the additional outdoor space. 4. Introduce vehicle weight restrictions in the town centre to encourage HGVs etc to use the bypass and improve pedestrian access and safety. 5. Introduce restricted loading/unloading times for deliveries to town centre to avoid peak. This would facilitate pavement widening for safe pedestrian access and would also avoid vehicle congestion in light of other traffic restrictions. 6. Consider remodelling of main crossroads at Kings Road/High Street to improve safe pedestrian and cycle access and priority: – possible extension of pavements, levelling kerbs and re-marking for shared space approach, priority pedestrian crossing and reduction of through traffic. Safer Cycling 1. Improve connectivity between settlements - redesignate the existing wide footway along the A4251 Berkhamsted to Hemel Hempstead and Berkhamsted to Tring as shared pedestrian and cycle routes. Would contribute to fewer people driving or taking public transport. 2. Segregate the town section of the A4251 section to establish a cycle lane between Hall Park and Northchurch/Dudswell. 3. To facilitate point 2, reduce speed limit to 20mph throughout this section of the A4251 and main North/South connecting routes not already covered by the existing 20mph zone. 4. Provide additional secure cycle parking facilities in key locations e.g. near shopping parades such as Gossoms End, the Western and Eastern ends of the High Street, Lower Kings Road, at the station and others to be identified. 5. Identify other cycle infrastructure such as repair stations which could be quickly introduced in conjunction with point 4. 6. Introduce cycle stop lines at all major traffic light intersections. Schools Please note that we have approached local head teachers for comment but currently, they are understandably focused on making the preparations to meet the requirement to reopen schools to more pupils on 1 June. The Civic Centre 161 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 3HD 01442 800152 [email protected] This means that the proposals listed here, have not been discussed with them in detail although the Chair of the local heads’ association, has had sight of them and circulated to other local head teachers for info. Clearly, the proposals would need further discussion with the head teachers before implementation. Create school streets; all proposed measures to operate during school travel times: 1. Ashlyns: Chesham Road from High Street to roundabout with A41 closed to traffic. This is to facilitate the pedestrian movement of pupils up and down the very narrow pavement on Chesham Road. 2. Bridgewater: Bridle Way closed to traffic to prevent the vehicle congestion that usually occurs there and allow additional space for walking, cycling and scooting. 3. Victoria: vehicle access to Prince Edward Street restricted to businesses based there. This is to facilitate the pedestrian movement of pupils and parents/carers as the pavements are very narrow. 4. Thomas Coram: upper sections of Swing Gate Lane closed to traffic to allow free pedestrian movement of pupils and parents/carers in what is often traffic congested space. 5. Westfield: no parking for drop off/pick up in immediate vicinity of school, removal of pavement parking bays on east side Durrants Lane. This will increase the width of the pavements to allow better social distancing, although it does not improve the situation on the west side of Durrants Lane, where the pavement outside of the school is very narrow. 6. Greenway/St Thomas More: Greenway and Crossways closed to traffic to allow additional space for walking, cycling and scooting. 7. Swing Gate – to be advised. 8. Berkhamsted school – there is an urgent need to connect with the school about their plans for school transport and pupil movement between sites which occurs throughout the day. Other 1. Establish filtered permeability in neighbourhoods with high levels of through traffic, high levels of walking and/or narrow footways – specific recommendations to be developed in conjunction with HCC. 2. Remove pavement parking in areas where it is possible – some areas of concern are: Shrublands Ave and Charles Street (and increasingly, neighbouring roads such as Cross Oak Road, Boxwell Road etc), widespread in Ashlyns estate and also in the conservation area. Further areas to be identified in conjunction with HCC. The Civic Centre 161 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 3HD 01442 800152 [email protected] 3. Northbridge Road industrial area requires a planned approach – walking and cycling provision is currently poor and the whole area is dominated by vehicle traffic and congested parking. To be developed in conjunction with HCC. We hope these suggestions are helpful and would very much welcome the opportunity to discuss them with you at the earliest opportunity. We are keen for emergency measures to be taken as soon as is practicably possible and in any case, in advance of the full return to pre lockdown levels of activity. Yours Sincerely, A D Noakes Town Clerk The Civic Centre 161 High Street Berkhamsted Hertfordshire HP4 3HD 01442 800152 [email protected] .