2024

Accident discussion

Messages replying to RDRA X (Twitter) post:
Another accident today on Batchworth Bridge early this morning when it was still dark. Pedestrians with dark clothing cannot be seen by drivers! We have listed on our website what the RDRA tried to do over the years to make the bridge safer: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2024/02/batchworth-bridge-accident

Message received Feb 22, 2024 – via X (Twitter):
As a driver it can be quite alarming how difficult it is to see pedestrians here. And as a walker, there seems to be an increasing tendency for drivers to plough on over the crossings even when people are on them.

Message received Feb 23, 2024 – via X (Twitter):
use crossing poles that also light up for extra safety. Why not try these @hertscc

By Debbie Wheeler, ago

Dangerous crossing on the bridge

Message received Feb 22, 2024 – via Contact us form

Anne Littlejohn asked me to contact you regarding a post I made on facebook warning others about the accident early Wednesday morning on Batchworth Bridge. Please send a whatsapp phone number and I will screenshot the post and all the comments on the post confirming how dangerous the crossing on the bridge is. I drive over it three mornings a week returning from a night shift and can confirm when it is dark it is virtually impossible to see pedestrians until they are on the crossing. I slow right down knowing this to be the case but if you dont realise this it is very very dangerous

RDRA response:

Many thanks for your email. My contact details as below.

By Ash Pattni, ago

Batchworth Bridge accident

Batchworth Bridge crossing

The RDRA have been warning about the safety of the Batchworth Bridge crossing and today, Wednesday 21st February, there was another accident.

The accident happened early in the morning (6.30am) but it was still dark and the pedestrian was unfortunately wearing dark clothes so could not be seen by the driver.

We wish the pedestrian well – we don’t know the extent of their injuries but an ambulance was called to the scene.

We’ve been campaigning for years for something to be done about the crossing as there have been multiple accidents and near misses over the years. It stands to reason that without action, one day there will be a fatality.

A history of the bridge:

  • A crossing with traffic lights requested – rejected by council.
  • An extra lighting lamp post requested – rejected by council.
  • Change of speed limit requested on Riverside Drive from 40mph to 30mph to match the speed limit on the bridge and on the roundabouts surrounding the bridge – rejected by council.
  • Improved Belisha beacons – rejected by council.
  • Painted ’30’ or ‘Slow’ on the ground at the start of the bridge requested – rejected by council.
  • Handheld device (SID) for monitoring speeds requested – agreed to but the pandemic happened and our training was scuppered. And we now don’t have enough people to attend, minimum 10 people needed.
  • Council removes grills from barriers to allow drivers to see when pedestrians are waiting to cross during the day.
  • Rumble strip requested – rejected by council.
  • Extra lighting was again requested – agreed to but would cost £60,000. HCC only willing to fund a third of this lighting cost.
  • Recently, we were told that extra funding could possibly come from the Police, if they reassess the safety of the bridge – we have the forms and paperwork to start this process off and would like to know your current views. Please contact us to let us know!

Please could you also share this story on your Facebook page by clicking the blue Facebook icon on the left.

And express your views direct to your local Councillors.

Click here to see previous RDRA posts about Batchworth Bridge

By Ash Pattni, ago

Pedestrian information

Message received Feb 21, 2024 – via Contact us form

Following on from facebook post of an accident on 21/2 . I can provide further information. It was 06:30 dark & the pedestrian was in dark clothes and could not be see.

RDRA response:

Many thanks for letting us know about the accident on the Batchworth bridge crossing at 6:30am today. Do you have any photos of the incident that we can share with our councillors to make them aware of the incident. We have been pressing the council to make this bridge crossing safe with better lighting generally and also install a pedestrian crossing lights. We appreciate your assistance.

By Ash Pattni, ago

Parking

Parking in the town centre and Mill End still remains a contentious issue. There are consultations and petitions ongoing. Please do look up the TRDC website for more details and information:

Parking permit overview:
https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/services/parking/permit-parking-overview#Permit%20Parking%20overview%20with%20answers%20to%20frequent%20questions

Parking zones within Rickmansworth:
https://cdn-trdc.prod.trdc.blazecms.app/files/2023/02/1e750270-b6a4-11ed-bfcd-715d70b6d39b-roads-in-permit-parking-zones-in-trd-sept2021.pdf

Parking consultation:
https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/parking-consultations#Rickmansworth%20West%20area

By Ash Pattni, ago

Wine & Cheese evening

One of our wine exhibitors at this event, Domaine Les Caizergues, has shared some information about themselves below – who knew they are based in Rickmansworth! We’ll be able to taste all their wines on offer and get a 10% discount now and right up to the event on 21st March. View Domaine Les Caizergues wine list, prices and order form.

We’ll be able to taste all the wine on offer and get a discount on the night.

Click here to buy your tickets!

Thursday 21st March, 8pm – 10pm
Rickmansworth Golf Club, Moor Lane WD3 1QL

Domaine les Caizergues leaflet

Thank you to everybody who have bought tickets so far – you are supporting the very first event organised by RDRA 100+ Club, proceeds of which will go to local good causes, like better signage for the Community Garden & Orchard.

Join the RDRA 100+ Club

By Ash Pattni, ago

Rickmansworth Festival

RDRA are talking to our councillors and other stakeholders and we can’t do anything about this year’s Rickmansworth Festival but we’re actively working to save the festival from next year onwards.

Please do contact your local councillor and let them know your views regarding this issue:

Reena Raynor
County Councillor
Rickmansworth East and Oxhey Park

By Ash Pattni, ago

Empty retail units

Message received Feb 11, 2024 – via Contact us form

I’m keen to find out about activity around the empty retail units on the High Street. I’d love to see at least one of them turned into a community space. Maybe this is something I can develop. I’d love to know of any existing plans like this. Many thanks.

RDRA response:

I agree with your sentiments about vacant units in the high st. RDRA would support you in your endeavour to turn these into productive community spaces/projects.

We however have no control or have any influence with the individual landlords or their agents. You’d have to approach them directly and negotiate with them to get them to agree to what you want to do. 

By Ash Pattni, ago

Help name a new community messaging system

Message from OWL

As you may well be aware, we will be signing up to Neighbourhood Alert on 1 April, 2024 to replace OWL.  Neighbourhood alerts is already used by 32 police forces, which will help us to share information about cross-border crimes and incidents more easily. 

Please be reassured we will continue to keep you updated on local, relevant news including crime prevention advice as we have done over the past 18 years with OWL. 

The new system will help us send more targeted and relevant messages to you from us and our partner agencies – if that is what you choose when you sign up.

We know that being part of a community messaging system helps prevent crime in your local neighbourhood and we hope you will continue to receive the free, local messages and you will let us know what the issues are in your local area. The new system seeks to develop our ability to support Neighbourhood Watch, whilst also providing a broader offer to engage with you and our communities given the changes in digital technology and the way in which people communicate and seek information.

It’s quick and simple to sign up – we will share the link with you as soon as it is available.  You will be asked about your preferences so we will only be communicating with you about issues that affect you directly or things you are interested in, so you are not bombarded with irrelevant messages based on your postcode.

Our webpage will be branded Neighbourhood Alert but we also have the option of adding a local name for example ‘Herts Connected’, ‘Our Herts Community’, ‘In the Know’ – and we would like your help in creating a new identity for our community messaging system.

Please let us know your thoughts by emailing corp.comm@herts.police.uk about re-branding by 5pm next Friday (16 February). Many thanks for your continued support.

By Ash Pattni, ago