There was good news this week with the announcement that work on a new roundabout to transform a notorious accident blackspot is due to start within days.

Rotarians who campaigned tirelessly for changes to the junction of St Albans Road and Dancers Hill Road, just outside Barnet this week described the news as the best possible Christmas present.

The stretch of road links High Barnet with the M25 at South Mimms.

Traffic engineers from Hertfordshire County Council will begin transforming the junction on January 7. Work is due to last 20 weeks and will see the eastern end of nearby Trotters Bottom closed for up to 12 weeks.

Rotarians from across the borough campaigned for improvements to the blackspot after the deaths of Jim and Betty Knights in June last year. It later emerged there had been 26 casualties, including three fatalities, in three years there.

Richard Jefferies, from the Rotary Club of Barnet & East Barnet of which Mr Knights, 74, from Arkley, was a member, said: "I have been reporting back to Rotarians on progress and we are obviously delighted this is a great Christmas present for us."

The club is currently looking at the possibility of sponsoring the roundabout in memory of Jim and Betty, 71.

December 18, 2001 17:20