A505 roadworks

26 July 2010, 06:00

A busy but dangerous road in Hitchin will be dug-up from today - as workmen try to make less of a potential accident black-spot.

The A505 will undergo a series of junction works by the Woolgrove interchange for the next 7 weeks, as new pedestrian crossings and traffic lights are put in place.

Hertfordshire's Highways will start the reconstruction work today at the junction with the Cambridge Road and Willian Road.

Stewart Pile from Herts County Council told Heart, "we're starting today because it's the start of the school holidays, so traffic's up to 15% quieter.

We'll be providing better crossings for pedestrians and new traffic lights to help the traffic flow."

Due to the work, certain turns will be restricted at the junction.  The main change will take place from the middle of August when all traffic approaching the junction from Woolgrove Road and Willian Road will have to turn left.

Drivers wishing to go straight ahead or turn right will be diverted (via a detour) to the next roundabout on the A505 to turn around.

Mr Pile warned, "that drivers will have to allow plenty of extra time for their journeys.

We appreciate the works could have a serious impact on the trade of local shops in the area.

Traffic will be re-routed or queued back and this could affected the stores there, but this is essential work and everyone will benefit from the improvements".

Buses in the area will also be disrupted with details on bus stops on the routes affected.