The county council has refused to take action to improve the safety of a dangerous road until it is advised to do so by a coroner.
The death of 23-year-old mum Pamela Bangs outside Laurance Haines Primary School in Vicarage Road led to angry calls from shocked parents for safety improvements at the site.
Backed by this newspaper they called for the installation of safety railings or bollards to protect pedestrians walking on a widened pavement over a humped bridge.
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However, Hertfordshire Highways, says it will not act until a coroner has examined the causes of Ms Bangs' death.
The popular Holywell resident was walking with her five-year-old son Gary on the afternoon of Wednesday, March 5, when she was hit by a van and thrown more than 20 feet along the road.
Harrow man Scott Andrews, 34, is awaiting trial for causing Ms Bangs' death by dangerous driving. Many friends and witnesses, however, say she would still be alive had safety railings been in place.
Hertfordshire Highways says it will act solely on the advice of the coroner. Media Manager Jane Vine said: "If the coroner feels that there are road safety issues he will highlight his concerns and we would act on them if necessary."
As debate about the safety of the road continued friends and family paid tribute to Ms Bangs at her funeral on Tuesday.
The many mourners who were unable to fit into West Herts Crematorium joined pupils at the Laurance Haines School for a memorial service.
Regulars at the Tolpits Lane Post Office have also continued to donate to a fund set up to pay for Christmas presents for her son.
Manager Akil Bandali said donations had poured into the fund since it was featured in last week's Watford Observer.
After compiling a petition of more than 300 signatures, he said: "Everybody is still so shocked but this week we raised about £200 for the fund."
Posted by: Winston, watford on 9:19am Tue 25 Mar 08
"Jane Vine said: "If the coroner feels that there are road safety issues he will highlight his concerns and we would act on them if necessary" who the hell does she think she is act on them if necessary oh what another death another child losing their parent?
The Herts Highways Agency has an obligation to us all, clearly they have NO intention to resolve this issue!
Perhaps its time for parients & residents to start peacful protest - at sholl times to have athe school crossing used constantly for say an hour in the morining & afternoon?
Claire Ward its time to earn your salary - County is not a law unto its own.
Who appoints thiese so called persons at Herts CC?
"if necessary" - tell that to Pamela son.
HCC how does one hold its head up, and how do you leepat night Jane Vine - if this was your daughter - grandson?
"Jane Vine said: "If the coroner feels that there are road safety issues he will highlight his concerns and we would act on them if necessary" who the hell does she think she is act on them if necessary oh what another death another child losing their parent?
The Herts Highways Agency has an obligation to us all, clearly they have NO intention to resolve this issue!
Perhaps its time for parients & residents to start peacful protest - at sholl times to have athe school crossing used constantly for say an hour in the morining & afternoon?
Claire Ward its time to earn your salary - County is not a law unto its own.
Who appoints thiese so called persons at Herts CC?
"if necessary" - tell that to Pamela son.
HCC how does one hold its head up, and how do you leepat night Jane Vine - if this was your daughter - grandson?
Posted by: Joliet68, Watford on 9:55am Tue 25 Mar 08
I agree that railings need to be in place.
However, there have been two occasions in the past two weeks where traffic has been so bad on Vicarage Road that cars going towards Watford Town Centre have blocked the bridge for cars going away from Watford Town Centre. In this case, it is necessary for those cars on the bridge to half mount the kerb in order to allow residents to get home (This is outside of school hours I might add)
It is my opinion that is wasn't the road that was dangerous in this case, it was the **** driver who had no insurance and was banned. His determination to escape from the scene was the primary factor.
I agree that railings need to be in place.
However, there have been two occasions in the past two weeks where traffic has been so bad on Vicarage Road that cars going towards Watford Town Centre have blocked the bridge for cars going away from Watford Town Centre. In this case, it is necessary for those cars on the bridge to half mount the kerb in order to allow residents to get home (This is outside of school hours I might add)
It is my opinion that is wasn't the road that was dangerous in this case, it was the **** driver who had no insurance and was banned. His determination to escape from the scene was the primary factor.
Posted by: JohnBoy, Watford on 10:06am Tue 25 Mar 08
What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.
What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.
Posted by: Igloo, Watford on 10:11am Tue 25 Mar 08
[quote][bold]JohnBoy[/bold] wrote:
What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.[/quote] County elections are every 4 years - it's a while before you can vote on this. The trouble is that the local Lib Dem County Councillors nearly always support the Tories
JohnBoy wrote:
What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.
County elections are every 4 years - it's a while before you can vote on this. The trouble is that the local Lib Dem County Councillors nearly always support the Tories
Posted by: Speedy Dog, Aquadrome on 10:25am Tue 25 Mar 08
Someone ought to show this article to Leonard Spencer (Tory County Councillor) at the moment he is more concerned about trees falling down on peoples heads, see article below.
Someone ought to show this article to Leonard Spencer (Tory County Councillor) at the moment he is more concerned about trees falling down on peoples heads, see article below.
[quote][bold]Igloo[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]JohnBoy[/bold] wrote: What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.[/quote] County elections are every 4 years - it's a while before you can vote on this. The trouble is that the local Lib Dem County Councillors nearly always support the Tories[/quote] Your political point isn't true. They don't.
Igloo wrote:
JohnBoy wrote: What about local government? Shouldn't they be receptive so close to a Local Election? Voters in the area should be able to exert pressure on their coucillors.
County elections are every 4 years - it's a while before you can vote on this. The trouble is that the local Lib Dem County Councillors nearly always support the Tories
Back to the accident. The current road was changed in response to public denmand to do something, and I think it is right to wait for the formal conclusion. It is no comfort for any family or community that has to deal with a death or serious injury accident to reflect on the fact that road deaths and serious accidents are on the decline. In 1997 the UK had 3,600 deaths and 46,583 serious injuries on its roads. In 2006 this had reduced to 3,172 deaths and 31,845 serious injuries. Road engineers can make roads safer by design but ultimately the road users need to obey the rules of common sense and the traffic laws. In this trajic case it appears the driver was motivated by his selfish interest.
On the specifics of the local area. Could a solution be to build a pedestrian bridge on the outside of the road bridge, crossing the railway and linking Laurence Haines with the other side of Vicarage Road. It would reduce the number of people needing to cross the road and provide a dedicated safer pedestrian (and cycle?) route. Of course it would cost money, but it is an option.
Back to the accident. The current road was changed in response to public denmand to do something, and I think it is right to wait for the formal conclusion. It is no comfort for any family or community that has to deal with a death or serious injury accident to reflect on the fact that road deaths and serious accidents are on the decline. In 1997 the UK had 3,600 deaths and 46,583 serious injuries on its roads. In 2006 this had reduced to 3,172 deaths and 31,845 serious injuries. Road engineers can make roads safer by design but ultimately the road users need to obey the rules of common sense and the traffic laws. In this trajic case it appears the driver was motivated by his selfish interest.
On the specifics of the local area. Could a solution be to build a pedestrian bridge on the outside of the road bridge, crossing the railway and linking Laurence Haines with the other side of Vicarage Road. It would reduce the number of people needing to cross the road and provide a dedicated safer pedestrian (and cycle?) route. Of course it would cost money, but it is an option.
Back to the accident. The current road was changed in response to public denmand to do something, and I think it is right to wait for the formal conclusion. It is no comfort for any family or community that has to deal with a death or serious injury accident to reflect on the fact that road deaths and serious accidents are on the decline. In 1997 the UK had 3,600 deaths and 46,583 serious injuries on its roads. In 2006 this had reduced to 3,172 deaths and 31,845 serious injuries. Road engineers can make roads safer by design but ultimately the road users need to obey the rules of common sense and the traffic laws. In this trajic case it appears the driver was motivated by his selfish interest.
On the specifics of the local area. Could a solution be to build a pedestrian bridge on the outside of the road bridge, crossing the railway and linking Laurence Haines with the other side of Vicarage Road. It would reduce the number of people needing to cross the road and provide a dedicated safer pedestrian (and cycle?) route. Of course it would cost money, but it is an option.
Back to the accident. The current road was changed in response to public denmand to do something, and I think it is right to wait for the formal conclusion. It is no comfort for any family or community that has to deal with a death or serious injury accident to reflect on the fact that road deaths and serious accidents are on the decline. In 1997 the UK had 3,600 deaths and 46,583 serious injuries on its roads. In 2006 this had reduced to 3,172 deaths and 31,845 serious injuries. Road engineers can make roads safer by design but ultimately the road users need to obey the rules of common sense and the traffic laws. In this trajic case it appears the driver was motivated by his selfish interest.
On the specifics of the local area. Could a solution be to build a pedestrian bridge on the outside of the road bridge, crossing the railway and linking Laurence Haines with the other side of Vicarage Road. It would reduce the number of people needing to cross the road and provide a dedicated safer pedestrian (and cycle?) route. Of course it would cost money, but it is an option.
Posted by: Jimbobfury, Watford on 2:41pm Tue 25 Mar 08
The problem here is that we have someone who should not have been driving on the road. It's not the road's faul, it's the **** idiot that got behind the wheel of the car then went and murdered a poor young mother. I bet he gets a slap on the wrist and only gets a 5 year sentence and out in 3.
The real people to blame are the law makers in Westminster who allow these people to continually get away with these crimes. They should have tougher penalties.
The problem here is that we have someone who should not have been driving on the road. It's not the road's faul, it's the **** idiot that got behind the wheel of the car then went and murdered a poor young mother. I bet he gets a slap on the wrist and only gets a 5 year sentence and out in 3.
The real people to blame are the law makers in Westminster who allow these people to continually get away with these crimes. They should have tougher penalties.
I agree - if found guilty he should have stiff sentence and lose his right to a pension - no good banning him from driving - that did not work last time - take away his right to free NHS treatment or his pension rights
I agree - if found guilty he should have stiff sentence and lose his right to a pension - no good banning him from driving - that did not work last time - take away his right to free NHS treatment or his pension rights
Agree 100% with Jimbobfury. The road is not to blame. It was the driver who (according to previous reports) was not exactly following the laws of the road. Until it is accepted that driving is a privilage and not a right and suitable stiff penalties are handed out to those that break the law. For example, it is cheaper to run a car uninsured, get caught and receive an average £200 fine than it it is to insure it! so what incentive is there to get it Insured in the first place?
Agree 100% with Jimbobfury. The road is not to blame. It was the driver who (according to previous reports) was not exactly following the laws of the road. Until it is accepted that driving is a privilage and not a right and suitable stiff penalties are handed out to those that break the law. For example, it is cheaper to run a car uninsured, get caught and receive an average £200 fine than it it is to insure it! so what incentive is there to get it Insured in the first place?
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