Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford have highest rates of cycling collisions in East Herts
Figures have been revealed
Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford have been cited as having the highest rates of pedestrian and cycling collisions in East Hertfordshire, according to a council report.The
East Herts Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan was presented to members of Herts County Council’s environment, transport and growth committee on Thursday, June 11.
The strategy aims to get people in East Hertfordshire walking and cycling in a bid to improve their fitness levels.
The report states there are “fairly low” rates of cycle and pedestrian collision in East Herts, but adds: “The heat map shows that collisions recorded are typically concentrated in Hertford, Ware and Bishop’s Stortford.
“Ware shows low collision rates, whilst Hertford and Bishop’s Stortford show darker spots surrounding the towns, which demonstrate a higher number of recorded cycle and pedestrian accidents in these areas.
“Safety and the perception of safety is one of the key reasons, along with ability, why people do not cycle. There is a strong consensus that cycling under mixed traffic conditions presents a high personal risk to safety.”
Regarding Hertford, the report states: “Most of the collisions visible on the map are along Ware Road, Hertford. This road has received many comments on Widen My Path because the footpaths are poorly maintained, and there are no dedicated cycling facilities.
“In consideration of crash data, it will be important to identify if there are viable and alternative walking and cycling routes available that limit conflicts with vehicle traffic. Where this cannot be avoided, high-quality and safe infrastructure will be required along these links.”
Regarding Bishop’s Stortford, the report states: “There are several reports of serious accidents in the town centre of Bishop’s Stortford, and many more reports of slight accidents both in and around the town.
“Notably, the slight collisions have tended to occur within close range of each other, around the same roads in the town centre, which could suggest a pattern in the causes of collisions.
“A number of these incidents are recorded on core roads that provide access to and within Bishop’s Stortford, which are expected to be considered through the network planning phase.
“In consideration of crash data, it will be important to identify if there are viable and alternative walking and cycling routes available that limit conflicts with vehicle traffic. Where this cannot be avoided, high-quality and safe infrastructure will be required along these links.”
WSP, a leading engineering company based in Hertford, was commissioned to carry out the plan, which identified four distinct networks for walking and cycling routes in East Herts.
The same document stated that people in Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford are among the least deprived in the county and may be less willing to give up their cars for commuting purposes.
Despite this, this same group of people could be persuaded to take part in walking and cycling for recreational purposes, the report found.
The report states: “Within and around the larger urban centres, such as Bishop’s Stortford and Hertford, there are clusters of both prestige position and suburban stability residents.
“These are typically homeowners of an older generation with older children, who tend to have above-average household incomes. This population is likely to have high car ownership levels and be retired or retiring soon.
“This population may be less receptive to cycling for commuting due to high car ownership and limited trip demands, as they may be comfortable with their current ways of travel. These groups may be more receptive to localised walking and cycling uptake, especially for recreational trips.”
Work on the strategy began in 2021, when a county council identified over 500 roads and lanes that are suitable for 20mph speed limits, with an aim to improve safety and “create calmer streets to encourage walking and cycling”.
The first network covers Bishops Stortford and Sawbridgeworth, a second focuses on Buntingford and a third upon the long corridor of villages in the middle of the district. A fourth network is based around Hertford and Ware.