As a resident living near to Stirling Corner, I have become very aware of a big traffic build up between the roundabout and Stirling corner for the last couple of months, especially during rush hour, but also at other less obvious times.

I had wondered why this was, as I don’t need to travel out that way much if I can avoid it.

At least now I know it’s predominantly due to the traffic light situation. I don’t know if the Morrisons being there is causing too much of a problem. Is there anyone actually monitoring the traffic during this expereiment and the causes of the traffic build up?

When I have the time I shall try and photograph the traffic build up throughout the day.

So what are the benefits of this new non-working traffic light arrangement? I can’t think of any personally.

And what are the costs?

It wastes precious time for everyone involved in waiting in traffic jams It causes excessive additional pollution from cars in traffic jams — which makes my home dirty inside, even with windows shut the pollution gets in and creates stress for car travellers and their passengers Literally a very large risk of death to those in cars and those walking trying to cross the roads there. It may be that deaths are rare at Stirling Corner but I can almost guarantee that there are many near misses each day and so it is by luck that the death toll isn’t higher there.

I hope this experiment doesn’t continue and that, as has been suggested, the traffic lights may be set to work 24 hours a day.

Ironically that won’t kill anyone and will help control the traffic in a far more effective way. Now fancy that for a novel idea.

Suzanne Alford
Hunter Close, Borehamwood