'Somebody will be killed'

4:59pm Thursday 27th March 2008

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A WORRIED St Albans resident fears someone will be seriously injured or killed unless speed controls are introduced along her road.

Marion Gourd insists drivers race passed her house in Sandridge Road at "ridiculous" speeds and claims it is only a matter of time before somebody is killed.

She vividly recalls the day last year when she was knocked to the ground by a speeding lorry, an experience which she says still haunts her today.

The 57-year-old was was walking home with a trolley full of shopping when a lorry hurtled past her and the force of it sent her flying.

Marion said: "I was going towards the bus stop and looking for a bus when this massive car transporter was going so fast the pressure of it threw me to the ground. My shopping trolley went half way down the road. I believe I am taking a risk crossing the road. Sooner or later somebody is going to be killed or seriously injured by these motorists who are driving too fast."

Back in 2004 residents and parents with children at Bernards Heath School got together following a spate of accidents to call for tighter speed controls along the stretch.

A pedestrian crossing was later installed outside the school in 2006 as part of a safer routes to school scheme, but Marion says it is not enough to deter reckless drivers.

She will continue to campaign for further road safety measures.

Hertfordshire County Council spokeswoman Josie Judge said: "Measures have been taken - it's a 30mph zone so drivers should adhere to that and there's a pedestrian crossing. If people have any concerns of this nature they can contact councillors and talk to them about an urban transport plan so they can make their views known."