A “disgusting mess” left for months at a crossing has sparked criticism as work to make it safe following a woman’s death appear to have stalled.
An 89-year-old was fatally hit by a van on May 20, 2022, which reignited calls to make the crossing where she died safer or close it altogether.
Trees and bushes which restricted visibility at the roadside were cut back and a "dangerous" short path from Courtlands Drive and Stanbury Avenue was closed.
Campaigner Ken Phillips had pushed for change at the site and praised the council for swiftly closing the “dangerous” gap after the crash.
However, he felt the number of plants cut back went far beyond anything that impacted visibility for drivers and pedestrians.
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The Stanbury Avenue resident has now also been left “frustrated” by a lack of progress and the “disgusting mess” the work has left since the summer, including branches, strewn barriers, and debris.
He said: “We have had to continue to suffer from this complete untidy mess while Hertfordshire Council dithers yet again.
“The collapse and break up of many of the red barriers means pedestrians, runners and cyclists continue to get through on a daily basis. They cross the road going south into a dangerous space-restricted area between the edge of the road and the haphazard line of red barriers.
“The long line of ragged and untidy barriers were only made necessary by the total and unnecessary devastation of the long hedgerow and bushes.”
A Hertfordshire County Council spokesperson confirmed more work is planned soon.
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They said: “When we carried out some initial work to clear vegetation and improve visibility around the crossing point, this revealed that part of the existing brick wall was in poor condition.
“This wall is due to be replaced by railings, which are currently on order, and there is more work to be done on the vegetation, such as removing some of the stumps of old bushes.
“All of this work is currently planned for mid-March and we will keep the current temporary barriers in place until the work is finished.”
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