Danger road in Stevenage may kill a child

A PEDESTRIAN could be killed - that is the stark warning issued by those who have mounted a petition raising concerns about traffic speeding along a residential street.

The Shephall Residents and Associates group has collected 51 signatures from people living in Wigram Way in Stevenage, calling for traffic calming measures to be introduced in the road.

Michael Hearn, chair of the group, addressed the Herts highways joint member panel on Monday, after the petition had been submitted for consideration.

Mr Hearn, of Little Hyde, said: "I've lived here 16 years and since Shephall Way has had traffic calming measures put in place the traffic flow in Wigram Way has increased and speeds are increasing.

"It seems to have become a rat run and, although it's been going on for a few years, it's becoming more noticeable and it's becoming quite a big problem.

"There have been a lot of pets run over, and one lady has lost three cats."

Mr Hearn said a lot of school children use the shops in Wigram Way and, with cars parked down one side of the road, visibility of pedestrians is poor. He also said hidden garage entrances along the street mean an accident is just waiting to happen.

"We obviously just don't want to see a person killed down there, so something hopefully will be done," he said.

Cllr John Lloyd, who represents the Shephall ward on Hertfordshire County Council, said: "The problem is that Wigram Way is very heavily laden with parked traffic on one side of the road. People see the road as a cut through and the speed of the traffic is causing concern."

A spokesman for Herts Highways said: "A petition has been presented and accepted and we will now investigate the concerns raised."

A full report on the issue will be presented at the next Herts highways joint member panel meeting in January.