A scheme to help reduce the speed of traffic in Hitchin is set to be implemented, including road humps, double yellow lines and a zebra crossing.

Hertfordshire County Council wants to reduce the speed of traffic along Bearton Road and Periwinkle Lane, between Bedford Road and Strathmore Avenue.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We already have a 20mph speed limit in place, but we know that some drivers travel at higher speeds.

"We've responded to residents' concerns and are introducing measures to reduce speeding and improve pedestrian safety."

These measures include:​ ​

  • Flat-top road humps on Bearton Road, between Bedford Road and Old Hale Way.
  • Round-top speed humps on Bearton Road and Periwinkle Lane, between Old Hale Way and Strathmore Avenue.
  • New double-yellow lines where needed, while retaining as much space for on-street parking as possible.
  • Marking parking areas to visually constrain the road and discourage footway parking.
  • Providing a loading bay outside the shops.
  • Building a zebra crossing at the shops.

The council said that 75 per cent of respondents to a consultation in November 2022 were in favour of the changes.

The contractor is planning to start construction on July 1, with completion expected in early September.

The council spokesperson said: "To safely build the scheme, they will sometimes need to close the road, depending on where they are working.

"The works will be broken down into six phases, running east to west. Signed diversion routes will be in place during any road closures."

The closures are:

  • Phase one: July 1 to 10, Bedford Road to Bearton Green.
  • Phase two: July 11 to 15, Bearton Green to Old Hale Way.
  • Phase three: July 16 to 27, Old Hale Way to Bearton Green.
  • Phase four: July 29 to August 14, Old Hale Way to Brampton Park Road/York Road.
  • Phase five: August 15 to 31, York Road to Whitehurst Avenue/Ickleford Road.
  • Phase six: September 2 to 4, Whitehurst Avenue/Ickleford Road to Water Lane/Strathmore Avenue.

"These dates might change if the weather or circumstances are not ideal," the council spokesperson warned.