Topic ID 1238
Is it still up and running? If so when will the next meeting be? Been on to the web site but cant see much on there. We where away at the time of last meeting. Like to be at the next one.
Reply ID 14485
Definitely up and running with around 75 paid up members I understand (which reminds me - I need to send off my membership form to stop all those people with yellow stickers being rude to me) You can contact them on lbra(at)bengeo.demon.co.uk for information on how to join (cost is £2 per person per year) and for details of future meetings.
Reply ID 14628
I'm confused having lived in Hertford all my life I have never known lower Bengeo, surely you either live in Bengeo or you don't? Where is lower Bengeo? are you refering to Port Vale?
Reply ID 14643
Lower Bengeo was a term first coined by estate agents in the 90s to make Wellington, Nelson, Porst Vale, Molewood Road, Balfour, the lower part of Byde Street sound a bit more prestigous than Hertford, at a time when Bengeo could attract around 10-20% more than any other area of Hertford. (i.e. it was a known des res.) Now, those streets are desirable in themselves for their period features, proximity to the station, level(ish) walk to the town etc. The question is, where does Bengeo stop and Hertford start? At the brow of the hill perhaps?
Reply ID 14662
Apparently Sele Farm is now calling itself "Upper Hertingfordbury"...
Reply ID 14794
Bengeo is really from the top of Port Hill.... although the Royal Mail cease to allow it to exist! I always put Bengeo, cos it was and still exists; was a former village and is signposted.. [:)] I also think "Lower Bengeo" was coined to distinguish itself from the Holy Trinity Church/ Molewood Estate/Parker avenue areas.. nothing sinister though!
Reply ID 14860
quote:When Bengeo was a parish in it's own right the lower boundary was Fanshaw Street. Technically, anything below this wasn't in Bengeo.
Originally posted by Drama Queen
Bengeo is really from the top of Port Hill.... although the Royal Mail cease to allow it to exist! I always put Bengeo, cos it was and still exists; was a former village and is signposted.. [:)] I also think "Lower Bengeo" was coined to distinguish itself from the Holy Trinity Church/ Molewood Estate/Parker avenue areas.. nothing sinister though!
Reply ID 15947
New set of leaflets handed out today. They include a membership form, but no address or information on where to send/deliver it. Some may consider that a barrier to membership. [;)]
Reply ID 16042
I had a call this morning from Mark H who is a reporter on the Herald looking to speak to Chairperson of LBRA. Bit late now for tomorrows issue but it might be worth someone making contact with him as seems interested in what is going on. Or perhaps already sorted. Anyway, if you want his contact details etc can email me through profile.
Reply ID 16064
quote:Hi Skanky http://www.bengeo.demon.co.uk/bra/pages/streetreps.htm You can print off a membership form and find your street representative - on the web site (don't forget to sign the Petition). Many thanks Paul
Originally posted by skanky
New set of leaflets handed out today. They include a membership form, but no address or information on where to send/deliver it. Some may consider that a barrier to membership. [;)]
Reply ID 16066
Thanks Paul. I'd recommend having the street rep address on the forms they hand out too, though. Not everyone has a computer at home or would spend time looking. Also, I don't think that page is linked to from anywhere on the site so would be difficult to find.
Reply ID 16067
I notice from the picture on your site of the rat run camera, that the camera is actually on a lampost opposite the station car park on Beane Road. Can I take from that, that Millmead Way is within the residents association boundries?
Reply ID 16072
quote:The link is on the News page. You can use the Drop down menu to find it. P
Originally posted by skanky
Thanks Paul. I'd recommend having the street rep address on the forms they hand out too, though. Not everyone has a computer at home or would spend time looking. Also, I don't think that page is linked to from anywhere on the site so would be difficult to find.
Reply ID 16073
quote:Hi Victor http://www.bengeo.demon.co.uk/bra/pages/streetreps.htm The Constitution of the Association includes all roads mentioned in the Street Representatives list. Millmead is not included Paul
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
I notice from the picture on your site of the rat run camera, that the camera is actually on a lampost opposite the station car park on Beane Road. Can I take from that, that Millmead Way is within the residents association boundries?
Reply ID 16074
Can you move the rat run camera then, as obviously that stretch of Beane road is not effected.
Reply ID 16077
a rat run camera?? never heard of that! sounds interesting, what does it do exactly? am i gonna get ticked off for using the public highway? and what is this "lower bengeo" I hear of? no such place! does that mean i live in the bengeo suburbs?? heres a suggestion to help the problem, make it all one way..at least then your rats are all going in the same direction!
Reply ID 16079
quote:The cameras were positioned to only record traffic driving right through Bengeo - not local traffic. Although Mill Mead Way is not within the LBRA, it counts as local traffic and is not therefore currently considered to be part of the problem. This also applies to all houses in Upper Bengeo, Molewood Estate, and all those houses and roads to the East of Bengeo Street.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Can you move the rat run camera then, as obviously that stretch of Beane road is not effected.
Reply ID 16080
I feel left out and just want a yellow sticker, I am considering moving just to get one! [:D] Just out of interest, how can Archers close be effected by Rat Runners, but not Millmead Way?
Reply ID 16082
quote:Because when the traffic gets backed up at the bottom of Byde Street, cars try to cut through Balfour Street, which is tiny and half of it has no footpath at either side. There is a right angle bend which cars belt round in their temper and effort to get out of Bengeo more quickly. Families living on Archers Close cannot allow their children to walk to school alone because of this tiny, but dangerous, stretch.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
I feel left out and just want a yellow sticker, I am considering moving just to get one! [:D] Just out of interest, how can Archers close be effected by Rat Runners, but not Millmead Way?
Reply ID 16083
The results of the camera survey on the LBRA website (http://www.bengeo.demon.co.uk/bra/pics/Traffic-movement.pdf) imply that, of all traffic observed at the watchpoints, a maximum of 20.2% could be considered to be rat-running, the rest being local traffic (and that is the weekly average for the AM peak time, the weekly average over a 24 hour period is 11.6% northbound and 6.7% southbound) Therefore the results suggest that the vast majority of the traffic observed in the restricted area is actually local traffic. Surprising results that I find it difficult to agree with.
Reply ID 16084
Aah, the camera never lies. The big point here to make now is you and I pay annual road tax to drive on "Queens Highways", you cannot fail to notice when you purchase a property on "rat run" where the location to the station is, tightness of parking and lots of traffic using it. We are allowed to drive around there, to get to station, friends houses, or friends in the "rat run" vicinity. I think its a terrible dilemma, and whilst I only drive around there is there is no way of avoiding that fact, I am legally perfectly entitled to do so. Some who are moaning about the rat run, bought properties there recently, so lets not pretend they didn;t know what the area was like.. (Feel this will get blood boiling!)
Reply ID 16092
quote:What about the Children that have to cross Beane Road at either the Millmead Road Junction or the Foot path. The Speed that the cars travel along Beane Road has got to be considerably faster that Byde street. I fing it amazing that a whole housing estate can be alienated just because its new and cars do not use it as a through road. Residents still have to put up with queing up along Beane road in the morning and dodging cars trying to see how fast they can go until they reach the cross road!
Originally posted by nora battyquote:Because when the traffic gets backed up at the bottom of Byde Street, cars try to cut through Balfour Street, which is tiny and half of it has no footpath at either side. There is a right angle bend which cars belt round in their temper and effort to get out of Bengeo more quickly. Families living on Archers Close cannot allow their children to walk to school alone because of this tiny, but dangerous, stretch.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
I feel left out and just want a yellow sticker, I am considering moving just to get one! [:D] Just out of interest, how can Archers close be effected by Rat Runners, but not Millmead Way?
Reply ID 16094
quote:Then perhaps traffic calming measures on Beane Road is the answer.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrewquote:What about the Children that have to cross Beane Road at either the Millmead Road Junction or the Foot path. The Speed that the cars travel along Beane Road has got to be considerably faster that Byde street. I fing it amazing that a whole housing estate can be alienated just because its new and cars do not use it as a through road. Residents still have to put up with queing up along Beane road in the morning and dodging cars trying to see how fast they can go until they reach the cross road!
Originally posted by nora battyquote:Because when the traffic gets backed up at the bottom of Byde Street, cars try to cut through Balfour Street, which is tiny and half of it has no footpath at either side. There is a right angle bend which cars belt round in their temper and effort to get out of Bengeo more quickly. Families living on Archers Close cannot allow their children to walk to school alone because of this tiny, but dangerous, stretch.
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
I feel left out and just want a yellow sticker, I am considering moving just to get one! [:D] Just out of interest, how can Archers close be effected by Rat Runners, but not Millmead Way?
Reply ID 16095
I would be happy with that. (does it come with a yellow sticker?)
Reply ID 16096
quote:There was a suggestion that the time allowed for traffic to travel through was too short - so the time that cars were queuing from Sacombe roundabout to Cross Road eliminated them from the rat-run statistics.
Originally posted by Joby
The results of the camera survey on the LBRA website (http://www.bengeo.demon.co.uk/bra/pics/Traffic-movement.pdf) implies that, of all traffic observed at the watchpoints, a maximum of 20.2% could be considered to be rat-running, the rest being local traffic (and that is the weekly average for the AM peak time, the weekly average over a 24 hour period is 11.6% northbound and 6.7%) Therefore the results suggest that the vast majority of the traffic observed in the restricted area is actually local traffic. Surprising results that I find it difficult to agree with.
Reply ID 16097
Wasn't Campfield Road made a 20mph Community Zone with government funding (local/central?). There are traffic calming measure installed there.
Reply ID 16102
quote:Nobody's got a problem with those who are using the streets for legitimate access to visit friends etc. The road signs actually show that there is No Entry allowed except for access, i.e. those with legitimate reasons to be there.
Originally posted by Drama Queen
Aah, the camera never lies. The big point here to make now is you and I pay annual road tax to drive on "Queens Highways", you cannot fail to notice when you purchase a property on "rat run" where the location to the station is, tightness of parking and lots of traffic using it. We are allowed to drive around there, to get to station, friends houses, or friends in the "rat run" vicinity. I think its a terrible dilemma, and whilst I only drive around there is there is no way of avoiding that fact, I am legally perfectly entitled to do so. Some who are moaning about the rat run, bought properties there recently, so lets not pretend they didn;t know what the area was like.. (Feel this will get blood boiling!)
Reply ID 16104
I drove up Port Hill this morning at about 08:30. There was a traffic jam all the way from Old Cross, along Cow Bridge and up Port Hill until the junction with Cross Road. Interesting to see where the jam stopped.
Reply ID 16106
quote:yes, while we're at it, lets have blue stickers for those living on/around bengeo street or port hill to stop "rat runners" using these roads.. would make my life much easier.[;)]
Originally posted by Ewoowar
I drove up Port Hill this morning at about 08:30. There was a traffic jam all the way from Old Cross, along Cow Bridge and up Port Hill until the junction with Cross Road. Interesting to see where the jam stopped.
Reply ID 16110
quote:I'd be happy with a 20% reduction in traffic, as long as it could be slowed down. Less traffic would probably mean faster traffic and my issue is with safety for pedestrians and property, not volume of traffic.
Originally posted by Joby
The results of the camera survey on the LBRA website (http://www.bengeo.demon.co.uk/bra/pics/Traffic-movement.pdf) imply that, of all traffic observed at the watchpoints, a maximum of 20.2% could be considered to be rat-running, the rest being local traffic (and that is the weekly average for the AM peak time, the weekly average over a 24 hour period is 11.6% northbound and 6.7% southbound) Therefore the results suggest that the vast majority of the traffic observed in the restricted area is actually local traffic. Surprising results that I find it difficult to agree with.
Reply ID 16789
The Mercury has a letter and article in this week Feb 03 2006 <Letter Mercury Feb 03 2006 One route to rat run relief NOTE with some concern that a timetable has been agreed for tackling congestion on the Bengeo rat run (Mercury, Feb 3). I do hope the consultation will extend to users of the socalled rat run as well as to residents. It has been a vital route from Bengeo to Hertford North railway station and to the Al for more than 50 years, especially since the closure of Port Vale to through traffic. While I am sure everyone sympathises with local residents, they all knew the problem when they moved there and it was doubtless reflected in the price they paid for their houses. Part of the problem is residents' cars parked on both sides of the road, and it is a great pity that over the last 30 years planning permission has been given for so many additional residences on land which would have been better used for offstreet parking. Even now there appears to be at least one suitable plot available, ------------------------ Article Mercury Feb 03 2006 Plea for all to have a say in rat run debate CONSULT all Bengeo residents on the rat run and not just those in the affected areas, the county council was urged this week. Suggestions for tackling the problem of congestion along the Hertford rat run will be sought from people living in all streets between Molewood Road and Duncombe Road. But a call has been made for the consultation to extend further across Bengeo. Peter Clark, of Glebe Road, said: "Last time they brought this up I had to go to the council and ask for a questionnaire because I did not live in the affected area. "But I think everyone in Bengeo should be asked for their opinions because we all have an interest." Mr Clark feels that because he lives in Bengeo, he is entitled to use the run. "I can understand the traffic coming from High Cross and Tonwell is a problem," he said. "But if it's only for the people in those streets then I could be had up for going through there, and I live in Bengeo. "I used to be a good citizen and drive through Hertford to get to North Road instead of heading down the run. But in the end I thought 'this is daft'. "It's an access for me to get to my home - why should I not be allowed to use it?" Lower Bengeo Residents' Association has been asked to canvass opinion in its area and report back to Hertfordshire Highways, the county council partnership responsible for roads.> ------------------------ Any comments from you good folk with the finger on the pulse of Hertford? And just to show that us Lower BRA types are not all po faced Here is a bit of fun http://www.jcbsong.co.uk/jcbvideo.asp Paul
Reply ID 16800
quote:Where?
Even now there appears to be at least one suitable plot available,
Reply ID 16849
quote:Sounds just like Welwyn Road - Perhaps we could make that Residents of Sele Farm and Fordwich Rise only - and while we are at it le's make Waterford and Stapleford Residents only. Then there are the people in Ware Road that are complaining about their cars getting damaged when they park them in the street (usually on the pavement)- Why not close off Ware Road too. Anybody else feeling hard done by and want their road to be made
Originally posted by Victor Meldrew
Residents still have to put up with queing up along Beane road in the morning and dodging cars trying to see how fast they can go until they reach the cross road!
Reply ID 16851
Jez, you repeatedly make this point. Nobody but an unrealistic minority is asking for any of these roads to be made residents only. What folk want are some traffic reduction measures to ensure the through traffic is at a safe level (3 pedestrians hit in the last year, I'm sure you would agree that something needs to be done...) I really don't see why you have such a problem with that.
Reply ID 16852
Maybe he uses that route on a daily basis?
Reply ID 16863
I agree that something needs to be done too, but the consultation processes and most of the reported news seems to favour the residents - yellow stickers for residents, access only signs etc. Bengeo actually has 2 separate problems. 1 Parked cars obstructing narrow streets 2 Prats that drive selfishly and/or dangeously As much as they might protest the residents are to blame for problem 1 for buying a house with insufficient car parking for their needs. Problem 2 is not a specific problem to Bengeo we have the same problem in our street and it is made worse by the presence of parked cars and poor visibility making it harder for pedestrians to notice and consequently avoid the stupid/selfish drivers. (I am not blaming the pedestrians but they would be safer if they could see the dangers better)
Reply ID 16867
There is not a problem driving through Lower Bengeo out of peak traffic times. There is another route for cars to drive from Bengeo street to Hertford North or the A414, this is the correct route that all through traffic should be taking, thats why the roads are wider and the traffic flow id regulated by traffic lights. The only reason that people should feel the need to drive from Bengeo street through Lower Bengeo is if they are accessing somewhere within, or are looking for a SHORT CUT.
Reply ID 16873
Valid point from Victor. The streets in Lower Bengeo are residential and were not designed for a heavy volume of rush hour traffic speeding towards its destination. Hence the introduction of the access only area. The wider roads through the centre of Hertford, the relief road, the main roads into and out of Hertford, are designed to carry a higher volume of traffic and flow is regulated by lights and roundabouts accordingly. The same rules of the road apply all over Hertford...except they are not always obeyed. Ask the West Street residents about traffic flow through their short cut.
Reply ID 16876
quote:If schemes to improve a residential area don't favour the residents, there's not really much point to them.
Originally posted by jez_p
I agree that something needs to be done too, but the consultation processes and most of the reported news seems to favour the residents
quote:Agreed. The majority of houses in Lower Bengeo have insufficient parking for anyones' needs. However, it's an over simplification to suggest that people should have bought elsewhere - parking is just one of many factors in choosing where to live, you can never get everything you want/need from a house so compromises have to be made.
As much as they might protest the residents are to blame for problem 1 for buying a house with insufficient car parking for their needs.
Reply ID 16892
If Hertford had a Southern Bypass then a lot of the rush-hour problems may disappear - there would be less need to cut through Bengeo to avoid the traffic jams at the places where Traffic is "Regulated" by lights. I am curious to know how many residents of Cowper Crescent drive to Hertford North station via the "rat-run" surely they are just as bad as a resident from Chapmore End taking the same route, worse possibly because Hertford North is walkable from any part of Bengeo. (I am not picking on anybody in Cowper Crescent - just using it as a hypothetical example of a street in Bengeo where people might drive to the station from)
Reply ID 16894
That really would depend on if they turned left on to the Avenue, right on to Bengeo Street and the right again down Cross Road ect ect, that would be considered "Rat Running". If they turned right on to The Avenue and then followed down to Hertford North, that could actually be deemed part of the rat run, therefore allowable. I think if you journey means you have to drive along Bengeo St, then you should stay on Bengeo st and use the correct access roads. Its fairly simple.
Reply ID 16916
One problem with the street parking is that there isn't anywhere for any cars on most streets on the rat run, so saying people shouldn't live there unless if they have more than the number of cars there is room for, would mean only car-less families living there. Also, even without the parked cars, the roads would still not be able to easily cope with the traffic currently using it (esp. some of the lorries). The traffic speeds would also increase (as they do on the upper part of Byde St.) which would make the run more dangerous. Considering the number of cars you see cutting the corners at junctions there, I'm vaguely surprised there aren't more accidents there. The problem is these issues are seen in isolation. If the mini roundabout was back at Old Cross - with say pedestrian controlled lights or zebra crossings instead, the n traffic would flow more freely (esp. as there tends to be a time-of-day weighting of traffic flows). Thus blocking off, or restricting traffic through the rat-run would have a less negative impact. It's also worth noting that blocking the run off would have a negative impact on some residents as they would have far longer routes to get onto the B158, yet some would consider this a small price to pay (of course, others don't agree).
Reply ID 16919
quote:I think Cowper Crescent is within the Access Only "zone". I think it encompasses all of "West Bengeo", to avoid people legally accessing the rat run via Sacombe road i.e. turning right at the top of Bengeo Street, then left into The Wick, into Cowper etc. The zone starts at the southern access end of Beane Road so that people who intended to cut through can spot the error of their ways whilst at a roundabout and use an alternative route. Access to the Station car park is legitimate. A southern bypass would be an excellent solution to both the rat run to relieve the relief road. Why has no one thought of this before?
Originally posted by jez_p
I am curious to know how many residents of Cowper Crescent drive to Hertford North station via the "rat-run" surely they are just as bad as a resident from Chapmore End taking the same route, worse possibly because Hertford North is walkable from any part of Bengeo.
Reply ID 16921
quote:From where to where?
A southern bypass would be an excellent solution to both the rat run to relieve the relief road.
Reply ID 16928
quote:Off topic, I know but... I think the route normally proposed is from approximately Rush Green roundabout of A10 to approximately A414 at Hertfingfordbury. Longer but faster, a bit like the new A10 around Thunderidge and Wadesmill.
Originally posted by skankyquote:From where to where?
A southern bypass would be an excellent solution to both the rat run to relieve the relief road.
Reply ID 16930
If that was built then maybe Rat Runners would not feel the need to deviate from Bengeo Street, as the traffic flow through the town would be reduced considerably. So maybe not so off topic.
Reply ID 16937
So the LBRA should switch its focus to getting a bypass built, which is for the greater good of Hertford, rather than concentrating on the more selfish local issue of rat runners through Lower Bengeo? Needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few and all that. Interesting thought.
Reply ID 16938
Why should they on a maybe? Lets face it, the only reason people use the rat run is as a short cut, if caught the police are well within there right to issue fines, just as they do along West Street, so why should it be any different through Bengeo. It seams to me that the only people that are against shutting it off, are those that flaunt the laws.
Reply ID 16940
The residents don't want it "shut off". Just policed/managed. Shutting it off penalises the residents more than the rat runners. Let's go for the southern bypass and kill two birds with one stone. Aren't you involved on the LBRA committe Victor? Perhaps you could mention it.
Reply ID 16941
quote:No they wont let me in, cos I live on Millmead Way! All I want is a yellow sticker! I am considering moving, just to get one [:)]
Originally posted by 2929paul
The residents don't want it "shut off". Just policed/managed. Shutting it off penalises the residents more than the rat runners. Let's go for the southern bypass and kill two birds with one stone. Aren't you involved on the LBRA committe Victor? Perhaps you could mention it.
Reply ID 16942
To be honest, I can't see how a southernh bypass would make a whole lot of difference. Some, yes but not enough to warrant as an alternative - more as a complimentary issue.