ROAD RECLASS: Controversial rail freight terminal will see road …

A road in St Albans which could play a large part in the construction of the controversial Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at the former Radlett airfield is being reclassified.

According to the plans, a new section of A5138 Radlett Road in St Albans would link to the A414 North Orbital Road, near where it crosses with the M25. This would bypass the existing part of the A5138 which runs through Park Street and Frogmore.

In a Hertfordshire County Council cabinet meeting on November 6, councillor Phil Bibby, executive member for highways and transport, told the meeting that the A5138 should be reclassified as a C-class road, so as to divert heavy traffic associated with the rail freight to the new section of road. His suggestion was met with agreement from the council.

Cllr Bibby told STALBANSnews: “I fully understand residents’ concerns about the heavy vehicles travelling to and from the SRFI, and I consider the downgrade of the A5183 to be an important step in diverting traffic from the villages to the new bypass.

“Activity along the road will be monitored, in case other steps are necessary to achieve this imperative.”

Photo credit: Google Maps

Share this article:

Sign up to get weekly local news updates & offers: