Latest news with #HemelHempstead
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Appeal after driver standing by van dies on M1 in Hertfordshire
A driver standing by his van on the hard shoulder of the M1 has died after being struck, police have victim's silver Vauxhall van and a silver Chevrolet were on the hard shoulder of the M1 near Hemel Hempstead, when they were involved in a crash with a silver Saab at about 16:30 BST on Friday, Hertfordshire Police driver, a man in his 20s, suffered serious injuries and died at the scene of the crash close to the southbound slip road at junction 8.A man, 58, from Luton, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving, driving while unfit through drink or drugs and failing to stop at the scene of a collision, and remains in custody, the force said. Det Sgt Ben Heath, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Our thoughts are with the man's loved ones at this difficult time."Our inquiries are continuing, and I am appealing for anyone with information to please come forward."Did you see what happened, or witness anything before the collision?"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their patience whilst we put road closures in place."Anyone who saw the crash, has information or dash cam footage has been urged to contact the police. Det Sgt Heath added that any material could be uploaded on to the force's said the victim's family was being supported by officers. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Hemel Hempstead chalk stream rerouted at Gadebridge Park
A rare chalk stream has been rerouted to improve wildlife habitats and reduce the risk of localised flooding. The River Gade, at Gadebridge Park in Hemel Hempstead, has been returned to its natural course after it was moved to supply water to the former Bury Mill. The river restoration project in the Hertfordshire town was completed by the Environment Agency (EA) who worked with Dacorum Borough Council and Affinity Bromham, Liberal Democrat portfolio holder for neighbourhood operations at Dacorum, said: "The return of the River Gade to its natural course not only restores an important ecosystem but also enhances the park experience for our residents and visitors." The council was previously told the Gade was one of the "very few" chalk streams that exist around the artificial channel that had been cut caused the river to become disconnected, which the EA said led to water quality issues and limited new footbridges, a gauging station, and an ultrasonic structure that allows fish and mammals to move freely were installed as part of the project. Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey has been involved in a long-running campaign to preserve chalk "We've destroyed our chalk streams," says SharkeyListen: Sharkey's 'river ramble' with Clare BaldingThe Chiltern Society said chalk streams played host to water vole, endangered in the UK, and brown was created along the banks to provide habitat for different species including trout, water vole and Wilson, area director at the EA, said: "Getting to this stage marks the huge collective effort of a large number of people."I'd like to thank everyone involved for their perseverance and commitment to bringing such a complex and ambitious project to completion." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Sun
New roundabout has three-minute video to explain how to drive through it – but can you figure out how it works?
A NEW £2 million roundabout has a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it - can you figure it out? The Dutch-style roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, is set to welcome motorists, cyclists and pedestrians on June 6. 5 5 But the controversial project, which prioritises cyclists, has been slammed by locals. It comes after plans for the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout were originally blasted by drivers, who called it a cyclist "killing zone". Cyclists have an outer ring on the new roundabout, with cycle crossings over each of the four approach roads in a contrasting red surface. It also features zebra crossings over each approach road for pedestrians. Motorists must also give way to pedestrians and to cyclists when joining and leaving the roundabout. Reduced lane widths on the roundabout and at exit and entry points are designed to encourage drivers to slow down. As reported by the Telegraph, the upcoming Hemel Hamstead has been dubbed Britain's 'most woke' roundabout. In light of a new three-minute video released by Hertfordshire county council, to explain the system, residents have branded it "complicated' and 'confusing'. The tutorial reveals how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars – despite having priority on a separate cycle track. Cars and lorries must also give way to both cyclists and pedestrians when joining or leaving the roundabout. One fuming nearby resident commented: "For cyclists heading to, or coming off of, the M1, this is money well spent.' Another added: 'That's going to be carnage at rush hour. Literally eyes needed everywhere. "Assuming anyone uses it. I don't like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians." Others claimed it was a 'disaster waiting to happen' and highlighted a similar roundabout in Cambridge that opened in 2020. It is one of only three Dutch-style roundabouts in the UK, with two others located in Sheffield and Chichester. A scathing local said: 'There was a perfectly usable roundabout already there. Now they've pimped it up at great cost – what a joke.' The roundabout was funded by Active Travel England, the Government's executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling. Mark Doran, executive director of growth and environment at the council, added: "Hemel residents are no strangers to an innovative roundabout, so we're pleased that work on Boundary Way is nearing completion, on time. "We're keen to support our residents in becoming familiar with the layout so that everyday journeys are as smooth and safe as possible." This comes after we reported how the UK's first Dutch-style roundabout had increased the number of accidents, according to figures. Ten crashes - three serious - were reported across three years after the £2.3 million Fendon Road roundabout was installed in 2020. The accidents involved eight cyclists and two pedestrians being struck by a car, according to figures obtained by the BBC. That's six more than the four minor accidents recorded in the three years before the Cambridge layout was wheeled out. The system gives priority to cyclists thanks to a bright red outer ring lane and gives bikes their own level crossings. Motorists must wait for cyclists - and pedestrians - to enter and exit before manoeuvring around the roundabout. It means vehicles are made to give way twice while travelling through the pedal-friendly system. The roundabout was popularised in the bike-loving Netherlands and came about in Cambridge after locals demanded better cycle and pedestrian facilities. But within a few days of its opening in 2020, it had to close temporarily after a hit-and-run driver crashed into a zebra crossing beacon. And to this day, the system still divides opinion. 5 5
The Independent
6 days ago
- General
- The Independent
‘Unnecessarily complicated' roundabout leads council to publish three-minute tutorial video
A council has published a video explaining how to use a new 'dutch-style' roundabout set to open next week in Hemel Hempstead. The three-minute animated tutorial uploaded by Hertfordshire County Council shows users how to use the roundabout in Boundary Way as a cyclist, driver and pedestrian. The local authority said it wants people to familiarise themselves with how the roundabout operates before it opens on 6 June. When using Boundary Way, motorists must slow down or stop when entering or exiting in order to let pedestrians and cyclists cross safely. The £2.6million plan has come under criticism for being "unnecessarily complicated', with users fearing it is a 'disaster waiting to happen'. 'I don't like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians,' one local said.
Telegraph
6 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
‘Confusing' new roundabout needs three-minute explainer video
A new £2 million 'Dutch-style' roundabout needs a three-minute-long video explaining how to use it. The roundabout, currently under construction in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, includes a dedicated space for cyclists away from motorised vehicle traffic. The project is slated to open on June 6 but has been controversial with locals for its 'inclusive route' for cyclists and pedestrians. It has been dubbed Britain's 'most woke' roundabout because drivers must give priority to pedestrians, then cyclists, and then other cars and lorries before continuing on themselves. Locals have pointed out the priority for cyclists and pedestrians is unnecessary because only cars and lorries regularly use the Boundary Way route. It has also been branded 'complicated' and 'confusing' with Hertfordshire county council releasing a CGI walk-through on how to use it. The three-minute-long video explains how cyclists must give way to pedestrians and 'keep attentive' for cars – despite having priority on their segregated cycle track. It also demonstrates how cars and lorries must give way to both cyclists and pedestrians when joining or leaving the roundabout. Criticism has flooded in online, with one local saying: 'For cyclists heading to, or coming off of, the M1, this is money well spent.' Another said: 'That's going to be carnage at rush hour. Literally eyes needed everywhere. Assuming anyone uses it. I don't like the idea of braking when exiting the roundabout to give way to pedestrians.' Some locals have branded the roundabout an 'disaster waiting to happen' citing the similar Dutch-style one in Cambridge. In 2023, it was revealed the roundabout had seen more collisions in the three years since it was built compared to its predecessor over the previous three years. Between 2020 and 2023, there had been 10 collisions on the Cambridge roundabout compared to six incidents between 2017-19. Speaking on the Hertfordshire roundabout, one man said: 'There was a perfectly usable roundabout already there. Now they've pimped it up at great cost – what a joke.' Another added: 'A disaster waiting to happen.' The Hertfordshire roundabout has been funded by Active Travel England, the Government's executive agency for promoting walking, wheeling and cycling. There are currently three Dutch-style roundabouts in operation around the UK. The first one opened in Cambridge in 2020, followed by one in Sheffield in December 2024, and the third opened in Chichester in February 2025.
