Chris has discovered that there is no money at all for lamppost repainting in St Albans.

Throughout the city, there are lampposts of varying age, many of which are clearly in need of care and attention. Paint not only makes the environment look better but it prolongs the life of these expensive assets.

Chris comments: ‘I was amazed to hear that the county council intends to spend nothing at all on looking after lampposts. I have asked for this matter to be raised at the local highways committee next month to see if anything can be done to deal with the worst cases of neglect. But this strikes me as a classic example of poor use of taxpayers’ money. The Tories must learn to spend a little to save a lot.’

These two roads have recently come to my attention from my own observations. I have had the following response from Herts Highways.

‘Cat 2’ works are permanent patching (not a simple pothole repair).

Woodstock Road South is currently scheduled for the 2010/2011 financial
year. I will pass your comments onto our asset managers who are currently
shaping the 09/10 programme to see the feasibility of moving these works
forward.

Laurel Road does not currently feature on the five year IWP at all. I will
investigate the road to establish what low CAT 2 type works are necessary
for the road.

I have received the following note from the District Council. Comments gratefully received.

Members may recall the proposals to create a District Wide footway and
verge parking prohibition.

The impact would have been to ban parking on the footway or verge.
Drivers would be advised by zone entry signs as they entered the
District.

It was recognised that in a number of locations e.g., Folly Lane in St
Albans & Cowper Street, Harpenden that parking on the footway would be
necessary. At these locations signs would advise that footway parking
was authorised by placing signs adjacent to the parking place.

Unfortunately guidance from the Department of Transport advises that
unless repeater signs of the ban are in place every 30m a District wide
ban would not be authorised.

The Secretary of State’s view is that motorists cannot be reasonably be
expected to read, understand and remember the parking restrictions at
the entrance to a Controlled Parking Zone that covers an area of more
than a dozen streets.

In the circumstance the alternative is to introduce a ban on a location
by location basis.

We will shortly be advertising for consultation a footway and verge
parking ban in three places across the District.

1. Watsons Walk, St Albans – The entire length

2. Harpenden Road – Texaco Garage to Sandridgebury Lane

3. Colney Heath – The central area

Once these have been advertised we will be in a position to commence a
rolling programme of such bans.

As it is sometime since members were consulted on suitable locations now
is an opportune time to identify those areas where a footway and verge
ban is both necessary and feasible.

Your recommendations are therefore sought.

The key aspects to consider when recommending locations are:

1. Footway and/or verge parking is causing damage.

2. Footway obstructions are being caused. The rule of thumb being
insufficient space is available for a double buggy to pass.

3. There is an alternative parking location for residents.

Priority will be given to those locations that fulfil all three of the
above.

Residents have been concerned about this crossing for some time. Herts Highways have agreed to improve it but time has been passing by with seemingly no action. I have now received this message.

Message from Herts Highways:

I intend to carry out the antiskid improvement to the crossing point once
weather conditions improve. An order has been raised and will be carried
out as soon as we have warm enough temperatures for the improved surface to
last.

I would like to assure you that the money has been committed and the work
will be carried out. As soon as this latest cold snap has improved I will
establish a work date and report back to you