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Hertfordshire County Council

A5183 road safety improvements (Markyate and Flamstead)

We’re progressing with improvements to make the A5183 safer for everyone between the M1 (Junction 9) and the Central Bedfordshire County border. 

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Latest news - August 2026

We have completed the first stage of improvements on the A5183.

In July 2026, we installed two informal crossing points with central islands to make it easier and safer to cross the road near Hollybush Lane:

  • one near the Holiday Inn to improve access to the bus stops, as set out in our consultation,
  • and one further along the A5183 near Hollybush Lane, giving safer access to the public footpath (Flamstead Footpath 51) that connects to Old Watling Street.

As part of the installation of the central islands, we have carried out vegetation clearance and carriageway and footway surfacing improvements.

The works also included upgrading two bus stops with raised kerbs, making it easier to step on and off the bus. 

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Background

We have been awarded £1.8 million through the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund, which was established to help local authorities across England improve safety on high-risk A-roads. We'll use the funding to make improvements to junctions along the A5183 between Markyate and Flamstead. The project aims to benefit all road users, including drivers, walkers and cyclists, as well as enhancing the environment for those who walk and wheel in the area. We held a consultation in 2024 to gain feedback on the proposals for safety improvements.

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The safety improvements

Following feedback received during the 2024 consultation, further works are planned:

Speed limit reductions

We carried out a statutory consultation and the introduction of a new limit has been supported. The works include; a reduction in the speed limit from 50mph to 40mph between the M1 (Junction 9) and the existing 40mph speed limit terminus west of the B4540 Luton Road.

Junction improvements:

  • New traffic signals at the junction of London Road and the A5183 including pedestrian crossing phases on some arms.
  • New traffic signals at the junction of Chequers Hill and the A5183 with improved access to the Old Watling Street Truck Stop.

See our safety improvements on a map

Consultation on the A5183 improvements

We carried out a public consultation in 2024 to gather feedback on proposed safety improvements along the A5183 between Markyate and Flamstead. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to participate.

The consultation included plans to install traffic signals at the Hicks Road junction, including pedestrian crossing phases.

We have decided not to proceed with this part of the scheme at this stage as it will require further assessment. This will allow us to focus the available Safer Road funding on the key safety improvements along the A5183.

The section of 30mph speed limit proposed at the junction of Chequers Hill will be reassessed once the new traffic signals are in place and their impact on vehicle speeds can be assessed.  

The A5183 consultation report (PDF 4.35MB) includes the results and detailed feedback from the 2024 consultation.

Consultation on Old Watling Street junction change

In October/November 2025, we consulted on a proposal to introduce a ‘No Entry’ into Old Watling Street. As a result of the feedback from the consultation and concerns raised about access for farm vehicles, we have decided not to proceed with the ‘No Entry’.

We continue to review measures that may address concerns about through traffic using Old Watling Street as an alternative route to the A5183.

Please see the Old Watling Street consultation page for more information.

For more information contact: SaferRoadsFund@hertfordshire.gov.uk

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