AN accident which left a child with a broken ankle has re-ignited concerns over traffic problems along Dark Lane in Harpenden.

The boy was knocked down at a pelican crossing at the junction of Dark Lane, Grove Road and Coleswood Road on Tuesday, December 11.

The accident follows fierce debate between district and county councillors over the nearby county council operated waste management site, which some district councillors feel creates too much traffic.

Grove JM School in Dark Lane said on Wednesday, December 12, that its governors are concerned about safety on Grove Road.

Growing discord between councillors emerged this week over the proposed sale of the land backing onto the Dark Lane household waste site in Harpenden - formerly home to Kingston Mowers.

Speaking at the Joint Community Government Forum on Monday, Liberal Democrat district councillor for Harpenden East, Brian Peyton, said: "County's plans to move the waste site onto the bigger plot with a view to enlarging it would have been an act of sheer folly."

Despite discussions over relocation options dating back two years there is no agreement on the land value between the two groups.

At last week's St Albans District Council cabinet meeting, it was decided to sell the site unless a firm offer is received from county by January 2.

Leader of the district council Conservative group Julian Daly moved to distance his party from the decision to sell the land saying that Tory portfolio-holders had voted against the decision to sell.

He said: "I think we have missed a once in a lifetime opportunity to sort out this site. The differences between the two valuations had been narrowing and county's plans looked like giving the residents of Harpenden a first class service."

"I don't think members of the public would appreciate this petty bickering between the two levels of government when they just want to see an improved service."

Harpenden South-West county councillor Iris Tarry said she was "desperately disappointed" that the two bodies had not been able to agree on the issue.

Mr Peyton said selling the site on the open market would provide the best value for the people of Harpenden.

"It is a county council problem, not a district one. So why should we be expected to pay?"

December 14, 2001 14:30