This view emerged at a small meeting of experts and residents called by county councillor Brian York at St Nicholas School in St Nicholas Close, Elstree, on Tuesday evening last week.

Mr York, chairman of Hertfordshire's environment committee, said: "We want to change signs in Hertsmere and London to discourage traffic from going to Elstree village."

At present, say residents, signs send Watford-bound motorists unnecessarily along Barnet Lane. They should instead be directed to Apex Corner, which Mr York says would provide quicker access to Watford and free up Elstree's roads.

Mr York will now report back to the committee on this and other proposals.

Pedestrian safety, particularly on Barnet Lane, was also discussed. It was suggested, controversially, that a ban be imposed on traffic turning right from the High Street into Barnet Lane.

Mr York said: "It is not an idea I support because it would really inconvenience people in the Deacons Hill area."

Clive Anstey, headteacher at St Nicholas, said: "The decision has been made not to go ahead with the Elstree Bypass, so this meeting was to look at a number of proposals to help solve the problems at the crossing of Barnet Lane and Elstree Hill North.

He added: "People were demanding that the roads be made safer for the whole community."

Barnet Lane and Elstree Hill North should be changed from A to B roads, it was agreed, so as to discourage motorists and allow for traffic calming measures to be introduced. Cameras at traffic lights and a lorry ban were also suggested.

Supporting the plans discussed, Mr Anstey said: "The school is very keen to make the area much safer. We have a parking problem and part of that is to do with the traffic problem."

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