A REVIEW has been launched into an electoral boundary quirk that could see part of Welwyn Hatfield absorbed by St Albans.

The independent Local Government Boundary Commission for England is consulting residents on plans to re-draw a council boundary that currently divides neighbours in Franklin Close, Colney Heath.

At present, part of Franklin Close is represented by Welwyn Hatfield Council and part is represented by St Albans City & District Council.

The boundary currently cuts a swathe through gardens and divides the community.

Commission chairman Max Caller said: “We are proposing to unite the whole of Franklin Close in St Albans and clear up a boundary that no longer reflects the shape of the local community.

“We’ve taken a common sense approach to an issue where the boundary simply hasn’t kept pace with development in the local area.

“We now want to hear whether the residents affected by the proposed change agree with our recommendation.”

He added: “We believe that the current boundary is confusing, it doesn’t promote effective local government and it splits a community.

“That’s why we’re taking action.”