Bells Hill: Councillors back Bishop’s Stortford residents’ plea for restrictions on danger road

Labour councillors have suggested solutions to long-running road safety concerns in Bells Hill.

Cllrs Yvonne Estop and David Jacobs, who represent Central ward on both Bishop’s Stortford town and East Herts district councils, have stepped in to support residents.

Householders have been asking for improvements since at least 2021.

In July that year, a lorry crashed into parked cars after clipping the kerb on Regency Close. At least one of the vehicles was written off.

Despite a 7.5-tonne weight restriction, the limit is frequently violated. Residents wrote to their Herts county councillor, Conservative Alastair Ward Booth, asking for action.

A householder wrote again in October 2023 after further damage to parked cars, fearing that St Mary’s Catholic School and Bishop’s Stortford College pupils were in danger from two-way traffic using the steep and narrow route between Windhill and Hadham Road. A one-way restriction, allowing vehicles to travel downhill only, was suggested as a possible remedy.

In response to a request for an urgent road safety review – a move backed by the Liberal Democrat leader of the town council, Cllr Miriam Swainston – Hertfordshire County Council, the highways authority, said: “Whilst local safety concerns are understandable, you will appreciate that we must direct our core resources to sites where work has the greatest potential to reduce the frequency and severity of personal injury collisions.

“This location does not currently feature on our hazardous sites list.”

Cllrs Estop and Jacobs have worked with residents to compile a detailed report on why action is essential.

“Hazardous driving conditions, frequent stand-offs between vehicles and dangerously narrow pavements make it an increasingly unsafe environment for residents and visitors,” they said.

“Footways along the eastern side of Bells Hill are particularly problematic, with sections barely wide enough for pedestrians.

“Vehicles often mount the kerbs to navigate the narrow roadway, creating serious risks for schoolchildren, residents and other pedestrians.

“These challenges have persisted for years but are becoming more acute as traffic volumes grow.”

They agreed with residents that a one-way system could eliminate vehicle stand-offs, reduce congestion and create safer conditions for pedestrians, particularly schoolchildren.

They said: “It would also ensure a smoother, more predictable traffic flow, benefiting both residents and the wider Bishops Stortford community.”

The councillors have shared their report with residents, schools, Hertfordshire Constabulary, the county council and the town’s Business Improvement District (BID) for feedback.

Cllrs Estop and Jacobs said while they appreciated local authority funding was limited, it was time for “decisive action to ensure the safety and wellbeing of everyone who uses Bells Hill”.