A602 improvements, Stevenage to / from Ware

We've completed our improvements to sections of the A602, from the south side of Stevenage to the A10 in Ware.

The new junctions are now finished, and the bus-only restriction at the Hertford Road and Ashdown Road junction is back in place. we'll be doing further works there beginning in September 2018.

We'll continue to remove our work sites and restore the area, but this won't affect your journey.

 

Why we want to change the A602

The A602 is a very busy road, but there are problems in places:

  • vehicles turning right are blocking traffic behind, causing delays
  • tight bends and poor visibility make the road less safe than it could be
  • often long queues at junctions.

Improvements we're planning to make

We want to improve the major junctions, reduce delays and make the route safer. We want to make improvements to these locations:

  • Hertford Road junction
  • A119 roundabout
  • Ware Road
  • Sacombe Pound junction
  • Stony Hills junction
  • Anchor Lane roundabout
  • Westmill Road
  • A10 junction.

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

The total cost for this scheme is £19.4 million.

Funding has been approved by the Local Enterprise Partnership and Local Transport Body.

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

A total of 4 planning applications were submitted.

We submitted 2 in May 2016:

  • Hertford Road junction
  • Anchor Lane junction, Westmill Road, A10 junction.

The works are currently underway and are expected to be completed in Spring 2018.

We then submitted the final 2 planning applications in July 2017 for:

  • A119 junction
  • Ware Road Improvements, from Heath Mount School to the Stony Hills junction.

These were considered at the Development Control Committee on 25 January, and the works are expected to begin in summer 2019.

Step 5: Construction

Construction works started on 29 August 2017. The new junctions have now been completed. 

We'll continue to remove our work sites and restore the area, but this won't affect your journey.

Hertford Road junction, Stevenage

We've completed works on the junction at the A602/ Hertford Road, Stevenage. 

The bus-only restriction is back in place at the Hertford Road/ Ashdown Road junction.

We haven't returned the bus-gate to it's original layout - we're planning a further project to improve bus-only access, and traffic calming to reduce speeds on Hertford Road. The junction will stay in its current state until we start this work.

As a result, the existing bus stop on Hertford Road will remain closed, and the temporary arrangement on Ashdown road will stay in place until the autumn, when we're expecting to finish this new project.

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Anchor Lane junction

We completed the roundabaout on the A602/ Anchor Lane.

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A10 junction

Works on the A602/ A10 traffic signal junction are now complete.

Other A602 improvement works

We're planning works to begin in summer 2019 for:

  • the A119 junction to the east of Watton at Stone
  • Ware Road from the Heath Mount School to the Stony Hills junction 

Email a602improvements@hertfordshire.gov.uk if you have any questions about this project.