Latest project updates
London Road, Buntingford
The scheme will provide a continuous 3.5m-wide shared use cycling and pedestrian path along the eastern side of London Road/ Station Road/ High Street. More than half (54%) of respondents in the summer consultation supported the proposals.
We are planning to deliver the project in two phases:
Phase 1 – construction on the section between the A10 roundabout and Hare Street Road expected to start in Autumn 2022 and be completed in Summer 2023. These dates are subject to Traffic Regulation Orders that will be advertised in June. This is a separate statutory process that enables us to finalise the design. Find out more on our Traffic Regulation Orders page.
Phase 2 - Further stakeholder engagement and design work will be undertaken on the High Street section to make it attractive to pedestrians and cyclists. We will confirm programme dates in due course.
View the designs for London Road, Buntingford
Boundary Way Roundabout, Hemel Hempstead
The proposal will see road layout changes to provide a ‘Dutch style’ roundabout, with dedicated space for cyclists around the entire junction, separated from the carriageway, widened footways with pedestrian crossings on all arms, and a lower speed limit of 20mph on all approaches.
Consultation responses from the wider public were positive, with 64% of respondents either strongly agreeing or tending to agree with the proposal.
Design work is ongoing, and subject to completion of internal processes, we expect work to commence in early 2023.
Find more information on the Boundary Way Roundabout scheme
Central St Albans
We are proposing a new cycle route linking Central St Albans with existing cycle routes to the south and west of the city, alongside new and improved crossing points and vehicle access changes. The scheme has been split into four sections for delivery:
- Upper Marlborough Road and Marlborough Road;
- London Road - Keyfield Terrace;
- Old London Road;
- Approach Road.
Feedback from the summer consultation showed wide support for the Central St Albans scheme, with 60% of respondents stating they strongly agree or tend to agree with the overall concept.
Further design work and engagement with residents and local members is ongoing to help understand the impacts of the proposals with the hope of finding a positive outcome that works for all parties.
More details on the scheme and its delivery will be shared once this work has been completed.
Find more information on the Central St Albans scheme
Fleetville Better Neighbourhood, St Albans
The initial engagement exercise undertaken in spring 2021 identified a high level of support from members of the public to high level concepts that would create quieter streets in the Fleetville area. There was a 79% approval rating on core features such as the introduction of a 20mph speed limit, the closure of through-routes to vehicular traffic, and a reprioritisation of space in the neighbourhood for those travelling by foot or bicycle.
To make this scheme a success, we need the assistance of local stakeholders and residents to help us fully understand what the issues are and what they would like to see.
We will be consulting on our proposed designs to the wider public later in spring with the hope of trialling a scheme later in the year.
North Road, Stevenage
The North Road scheme was split into three sections which were consulted on in Summer 2021.
The central section, between Coreys Mill Lane and A602 Lytton Way gyratory, will be taken forward to delivery. More than half of the respondents (53%) supported the central section.
Some aspects of the proposals, such as the amendment to waiting (parking) restrictions, installation of road humps and new crossing points, remain subject to separate statutory processes. We’ll be publishing the Traffic Regulation Orders for these aspects of the proposals shortly as part of these processes and to enable us to finalise the design. Find out more on on our Traffic Regulation Orders page.
We anticipate works will start in late 2022 / early 2023 subject to the outcome of the TROs.
We were not successful in attaining funding for the northern extension to the scheme in the government’s Active Travel Fund. As such we are pausing work and exploring alternative funding opportunities.
At the southern end of North Road, the Department for Transport have asked us to amend our original proposals which included a cycle lane around the gyratory between North Road and the High Street. However, they are supportive of making improvements at the top end of the High Street to improved walking and cycle access into the Old Town and have confirmed funding.
Further engagement will now take place with Stevenage Borough Council, the DFT and Active Travel England to shape the proposal prior to further business and public engagement.
Read more information on the North Road scheme.
Wiggenhall Road, Watford
The results of the summer consultation showed that the scheme to replace the temporary cycle lane with a wider shared use pavement was well supported (76%) and so the project will go ahead as planned.
Construction was due to start in February, however due to emergency utility works in the area, scheme delivery was delayed. These works have now been completed and we are now expecting to project construction to commence on site from Monday 13 June 2022.
The works are expected to last approximately eight weeks and carried out in phases to minimise disruption. They will consist of:
- Phase 1 - Footway works outside property number 101 – 115, between 13 – 27 June 2022;
- Phase 2 - Footway works between Wiggenhall Depot and Oxhey Activity Park car park (eastern side), between 28 June – 8 July 2022;
- Phase 3 - Pedestrian and cycle path work between Blackwell Drive and north of the toucan crossing (western side), and parapet extension works on the bridge, between 7 July – 3 August 2022.
All works will be completed overnight, between 8pm and 5am. Any noisy works that are required will be between 8pm and 11pm.
To ensure the safety of our workforce, there will be a road closure enforced between Thomas Sawyer Way and Eastbury Road whilst the works are underway. An official diversion will be in place when the road is closed and full details can be found on the Highways social media channels or one.network.
In partnership with Watford Borough Council, we have finished the resurfacing of the cycle path through Riverside Park which connects to this scheme and forms part of the national cycle network.
Stratford Way junction, Watford
Taking into consideration the levels of support and the feedback received during the consultation, we have decided not to progress this scheme.
Welwyn Garden City Town Centre
The Bridge Road scheme to introduce a new two-way cycle track between Bessemer Road and the town centre was consulted on in summer 2021 and received 68% support. It has been decided to take the project forward to delivery subject to the processes outlined below.
With the additional funding from the Department for Transport announced in May 2022, and the proximity to the town centre, it has also been agreed that further improvements in and around Howardsgate, Fretherne Road, Wigmores North and the top of Parkway can progress to construction. This includes dedicated space for cycling around Wigmores North and along Fretherne Road, as well as improved crossing points across Howardsgate, all supported by a town centre wide 20mph speed limit. The scheme builds on the previous phase of works completed in Stonehills during 2021. This scheme was consulted on separately in 2018. More details will be made available shortly on the Welwyn Garden City town centre scheme information page, at the link below.
The two projects will be combined into one town centre scheme, that will make travelling to, from and around Welwyn Garden City easier and safer for people walking and cycling.
Final design work is ongoing, and works are expected to start in Autumn 2022. Some aspects of the proposals, such as the changes to the bus stop and the new crossing points, are subject to separate statutory processes. Details of these notices shortly are available on the Traffic Regulation Orders page.
Read more information on the Welwyn Garden City town centre scheme.
Digswell Park Road, Welwyn Garden City and Digswell
There was significant 88% support to retain the closure of Digswell Park Road for the benefit of those that walk and cycle. As well as keeping the closure, the summer consultation proposed a reduction to the speed limit and crossing improvements on Bessemer Road and Hertford Road.
Although we weren’t successful in securing funding to progress this project through the government’s Active Travel Fund, we are seeking alternative arrangements to proceed with the crossing improvements. The closure of Digswell Park Road to vehicular traffic is not affected by this funding decision and has been made permanent following publication of legal order to support it which received no objections.
We have also publicised additional Traffic Regulation Orders for a 20mph speed limit along Digswell Park Road and double yellow lines in the turning head of the cul-de-sac off Harmer Green Lane. No objections were received. These orders will support the completion of design work during 2022/23.
Read more information on the Digswell Park Road scheme