Upcoming roadworks and closures
Mon 14 August 2023 – overnight for 14 nights: 9pm – 5am (weeknights only).
- Two-way traffic lights from Bardolph Cottages to Sacombe Park to complete kerbs and resurfacing.
Sun 10 Sep to Mon 11 September 2023: 9pm to 5am
- Full A602 closure from Sacombe Pound to Tonwell Village.
For the initial period after opening:
- The road will be subject to a temporary 30mph speed limit while remaining works are concluded. Thereafter the road will be subject to a 50mph speed limit.
Why we changed the A602
The A602 is a very busy road, but there were problems in places:
- vehicles turning right were blocking traffic behind, causing delays
- tight bends and poor visibility made the road less safe than it could be
- often long queues at junctions.
Improvements we've made
We want to improve the major junctions, reduce delays and make the route safer.
We have completed the A602 Improvements works at these locations:
- A119 junction - enlarged roundabout, two-lane entry on each arm and segregated left-hand turn lane from Stevenage to Ware
- Ware Road - realigned the road to make a safer and smoother drive and including right-hand turn lanes to reduce congestion
- Sacombe Pound junction - junction upgraded, installed of a bridge and cycle way which will allow safe crossing under the A602 for pedestrians and cyclists
- Stoneyhills junction - realigned the northern arm of the junction with better visibility and closed off the southern arm to vehicular traffic re-designating it as a bridleway.
We have already made improvements at:
- Hertford Road junction
- Anchor Lane roundabout
- Westmill Road
- A10 junction
New road layout
We have produced a New road layout map (PDF 286KB), which gives an overview of the route that the new road takes. You shouldn’t find too much of a change in the way you navigate the area, but the junctions and road itself have been upgraded.
Steps to complete the project
Step 1: Early options
We looked at a number of options for improving the A602, to reduce traffic congestion. We put this together into a business case.
Step 2: Seeking funding
Funding has been approved by the Local Enterprise Partnership and Hertfordshire County Council.
Step 3: Developing the scheme
The Local Transport Body consulted on the business case. The consultation ended in August 2014 and helped us decide that the project is value for money.
We held a public exhibition in May 2015. This gave us a chance to find out what you think about the project prior to submitting the planning applications.
A report was put before the Development Control Committee following a period of consultation.
Step 4: Getting permission / planning applications
Planning permission for the current works was granted in early 2018. Information on these applications can be viewed below;
Planning permission for the additional cycle route between Stoneyhills and Sacombe Pound was granted in Nov 2020.
Full details can be found on the planning page.
Planning permission for the earlier works, completed in summer 2018, can still be viewed on the link below;
Side Roads Order
The Department of Transport has approved the Hertfordshire County Council (A602 Improvements (Watton-at-Stone to Tonwell) Classified Road) Side Roads Order 2019. This is a statutory process that must be consulted on prior to making changes to any side or access roads.
If you would like to see the side road orders, email a602improvements@hertfordshire.gov.uk.
Traffic Regulation Orders
When opened, a 50mph speed limit will be enforced on the new A119 roundabout and A602 alignment. Temporary 30mph or 40mph speed limits should be adhered to when signage is in place.
Step 5: Construction
Main works
Construction contractor, Tilbury Douglas, is pleased to see the opening of the new A602 alignment.
Work to realign the A602 Ware Road between Heath Mount School and Stoneyhills, and construct the new Dane End Bridge, have been successfully completed.
Now traffic has moved onto the new road, the cycle track between Stonyhills and Sacombe Pound can be completed, and it is expected to open in early September.
Some finishing works will continue. These can only be concluded now that traffic is on the new alignment. A temporary 30mph speed limit remains in place while these works are finished.
Please plan your journey, as some of the works may cause delays on the highway. Check planned closures and roadworks.
Want to know more?
To make sure that residents and others who are interested in the scheme are kept informed of the upcoming works, we publish a monthly newsletter with all the latest news and updates from site:
Email a602improvements@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you have any questions about this project.
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