Great News - We are nearly there in making sure "The Maples" is a safe place to live

We have received great news today!

It has been agreed that both exits/access's on Ermine Street will remain open, as well as opening up Neale Drive. 

Highways Authority have agreed that further changes and reviews are required for Neale Drive as there will need to be restrictions put in place, such as weight restriction and removing the double yellow lines to ensure that this residential estate to safe from heavy goods lorries, school coaches and buses.

Once this final stage has been agreed all are happy with the final decision on the restrictions placed in Neale Drive this petition will be closed.

We thank you all for your support. We also thank Highway Authorities, Redrow, Sir Oliver Heald, Jeff Jones and the Councillors from planning at East Herts District in recognising the dangers to these residential estate and making the relevant changes to make The Maples a safe place to live.

Below is a copy of the press release issued today:

North East Herts MP Oliver Heald and County Councillor Jeff Jones have now had discussions with Redrow about keeping Ermine Street open for the future, when the Maples Estate is completed and Neale Drive is open.

Tom Wright, Managing Director, agreed with Oliver and Jeff that Redrow would not close Ermine Street.

County Council Highways have previously said they would consider any necessary traffic restrictions proposed for Neale Drive.

Commenting, Oliver said: ‘It’s good news that Redrow, Highways and the District Council have changed their minds and that Ermine Street is to stay open. Clearly, this will reduce traffic to the Maples Estate and any necessary traffic restrictions on Neale Drive will be considered. I am sure this will help concerned residents.’

Councillor Jeff Jones said: “Following the discussion that Oliver and I had with Redrow Homes, I was very pleased to hear that they agreed that the best solution to the Highways issues at the Buntingford North site is to keep both accesses onto the A10 open. This will be a much better solution to the planned road network where Neale Drive was going to be the only access onto the A10. The new residents will benefit from a reduction in traffic using Neale Drive with Ermine Street staying open, and give existing residents in Buntingford two options when accessing the A10 in the north of the town. The planned traffic calming measures will remain making Ermine Street a safer place for pedestrians, cyclists and road users.”