Improving walking and cycling across Hertfordshire (Active Travel Fund and Capability Fund)

Active Travel England's active travel fund have awarded us £9 million since November 2020, plus a further £4.6 million in May 2023 which we're using for schemes in Digswell, Hemel Hempstead, Hertford, Watford, Welwyn Garden City and Wheathampstead (due to be underway by spring 2024).

These support the objectives in our Local Transport Plan and Sustainable Hertfordshire strategy to make it easier and safer to walk, wheel and cycle. This will improve health, air quality, road safety, the local economy and traffic congestion.

Under construction Proposed projects Coming soon Completed projects

Under construction

Stevenage – North Road

We are progressing with walking and cycling improvements on North Road, Stevenage. A new two-way cycle route along the eastern side of North Road between Coreys Mill Lane and the A602 Lytton Way gyratory is being installed, along with new crossing facilities and better signage to local routes.

The scheme will provide a safe and efficient route for people walking and cycling to the hospital, schools, and existing cycle routes, including the National Cycle Network Route 12, Stevenage High Street, and the surrounding countryside.

Works commenced on 12 June 2023 and are expected to be completed in February 2024.

Construction is being carried out in phases to minimise disruption:

Phase 1: A602 Lytton Way to Franklin’s Road, substantially complete.
Phase 2: Franklin’s Road to Burymead, substantially complete.
Phase 3: Burymead to Whitney Drive, complete.
Phase 4: Whitney Drive to Tudor Close, 14 October – 12 November.
Phase 5: Tudor Close to Rectory Lane, 13 November – late-November.
Pause in works over Christmas period.
Phase 6: Rectory Lane to Coreys Mill Lane, 8 January – mid-February 2024.

What to expect

24/7 road closures will be phased along North Road, preventing through-traffic for the duration of works. A signed diversion route will be in place via B197 (North Road/Graveley Road) and A602 (Hitchin Road/Lytton Way) and via A602 (High Street/James Way/Lytton Way/Hitchin Road) and B197 (Graveley Road/North Road).

During main works, access will be maintained for residents and businesses on Franklin’s Road, Burymead, Whitney Drive, Tudor Close and Rectory Lane.

Carriageway resurfacing and installation of the raised tables will be completed overnight when there will be no vehicle access through the construction areas, except for emergency vehicles. Dates will be confirmed closer to these works and affected residents will be contacted directly.

Access will be maintained for pedestrians on the western footpath throughout the works. Cyclists will need to dismount and share the footway with care. For your safety and for the safety of our construction team, please make sure to follow the pedestrian diversion route, which will be clearly signed, and do not enter the works area at any time.

During all phases of work, buses will be on diversion and will not serve the bus stops on North Road. Full details will be available on the Intalink website.

Other planned work

We are coordinating with utility companies and developers who are also delivering maintenance and service work in the area along North Road. We are working to ensure that all works in the area are delivered safely and efficiently.

More about the North Road scheme, including diversion routes for the upcoming phases

Welwyn Garden City town centre

We are progressing with walking and cycling improvements in Welwyn Garden City town centre. This includes crossing improvements across Osborn Way and Howardsgate, dedicated space for cycling on Bridge Road (Hunters Bridge), Wigmores North and Fretherne Road, and the introduction of a town centre wide 20mph zone.

Building on the success of the completed Stonehills Square project, the scheme will further enhance the environment and make travelling to, from and around Welwyn Garden City easier and safer for people walking and cycling.

Hunters Bridge

Works commenced on Bridge Road on 30 August 2022 and were completed on 20 January 2023. A permanent two-way cycle route has been installed on Bridge Road connecting to the existing shared use on Broadwater Road. A new crossing for people walking and cycling was also installed over Osborn Way, improving the connections into Welwyn Garden City town centre.

Town centre

Delivery of the improved walking and cycling environment in the town centre began on 1 February 2023 and is due to be completed in early 2024.

The works are being carried out in phases to minimise disruption. Until the end of November, there will be various road closures on Fretherne Road, Howardsgate and Stonehills while we install the raised table in front of The Howard Centre and resurface Fretherne Road.

What to expect:

4pm on 16 - 19 November 2023 (Christmas Funfair, pause in works):

Fretherne Road, Howardsgate and Stonehills will be closed to vehicles 24/7.
Access into the town centre will be from Parkway into Howardsgate, exiting via Wigmores North.

20 - 29 November 2023:

Fretherne Road, Howardsgate North and Stonehills will re-open.
Howardsgate South will be closed to vehicles during the day (access will be provided overnight).
Access into the town centre will be from Parkway into Howardsgate, exiting via Wigmores North or Fretherne Road.

Dates depend upon weather and construction and may change.

Temporary taxi arrangements

The taxi rank in Howardsgate will remain temporarily closed until 20 November. Customers should continue to pick up their taxi from the temporary rank located on Wigmores North opposite the John Lewis car park (alongside Sir Theodores Way). Once the works on Fretherne Road are completed, the taxi rank outside the Howard Centre will reopen.

Official diversions will be in place to accommodate the road closures taking place. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the work. Businesses will remain open as usual.

Remaining phases of work

We plan to complete the last stage of disruptive work by the end of November. We will re-open all roads in the town centre and be off-site from the start of December. Please note that some minor works will take place in early 2024. Details will be provided in the new year.

Bus services will experience minor disruption. The 302 bus service will be on diversion, and one bus stop on Church Road will be closed for the duration of works. Full details are available on the Intalink website.

More about the Welwyn Garden City town centre scheme, including diversion routes.

Wheathampstead – Codicote Road Roundabout

As part of our Safer Routes to School programme, the improvements at Codicote Road provide safer and more accessible connections between residential areas, schools, and local amenities.

Delivery of new walking facilities at Codicote Road Roundabout started on 14 August, with main works being completed in mid-November 2023.

The project has delivered:

Two new raised zebra crossings on Lower Luton Road and Codicote Road to improve connections between residential areas, schools and local amenities.
Speed cushions on Codicote Road and Lower Luton Road approaching the roundabout to enhance the safety of the new crossings and to create a more pleasant environment for people walking, wheeling and using the bus stops.
Refurbishing of existing informal crossing points over Station Road and Lamer Lane.
Widening of footways on each corner of the roundabout.

Minor follow-up works will take place in early December for approximately one week. Temporary traffic lights will facilitate vehicle access during this time.

Codicote Road Roundabout Map - (PDF 330MB) Opens new window

Proposed projects

Hemel Hempstead – Boundary Way and Buncefield Lane

The proposal would 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.

The scheme continues along Buncefield Lane towards Three Cherry Trees Lane providing a quietway route through the heart of Maylands. Bollards will be installed to create a low-traffic route, increasing comfort and safety for those walking, wheeling and cycling.

Consultation responses from the wider public were positive.

The scheme will be delivered using the additional funding received in May 2023 from Active Travel England. We will provide a further update in due course.

More about the Boundary Way and Buncefield Lane (North) scheme

Hemel Hempstead – Jarman Park

The funds received in May 2023 will be used to deliver a series of improvements including a new signalised toucan crossing over the A414 St Albans Road to improve walking and cycling access to Jarman retail and leisure park.

Feedback received during public consultation in July 2023 is now being reviewed to help develop our designs.

Oaklands and Woolmer Green

We are proposing two Safer Routes to School projects in Oaklands and Woolmer Green.

The projects aim to:

make it safer and easier for people to walk and cycle in the local area;
reduce the speed limit through the two communities
enable families to choose to walk, wheel or cycle to school in the two villages
lower noise pollution levels by reducing car speeds
connect people to their schools, shops and local amenities without the need to use the car
improve the village experience in Oaklands and Woolmer Green.

Feedback received during our early engagement period in February 2023 is now being reviewed to help develop our designs.

View the results of Oaklands and Woolmer Green - Early engagement (PDF 1.49MB).

We will be consulting on more detailed plans later in the year.

More about the Safer Routes to School – Oaklands and Woolmer Green scheme

St Albans (central)

We are progressing with the walking and cycling improvements in Central St Albans. The scheme is designed to:

enhance north-south connections;
complement existing active travel routes, including National Cycle Network Route 6 and the St Albans Green Ring;
make it safer and easier to walk and cycle to the city centre, train station, council offices and local schools;
support the objectives in the Local Transport Plan and Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy to decrease the number of trips people take by car, thereby reducing congestion, improving air quality, and boosting physical and mental health of local communities.

Since the summer 2021 consultation, we continued our engagement with residents and other stakeholders to inform the direction of the project. We are proceeding with the designs along Upper Marlborough Road, Marlborough Road, and London Road – Keyfield Terrace, following support received during the 2021 consultation.

The feedback received during the initial consultation has helped us identify where improvements could be made to the Marlborough Road designs. Following a successful road trial we are now progressing with the revised plans subject to a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO), which will be live from 23 November - 21 December 2023.

You can find out more about the project, including scheme maps and road trial results, on the St Albans scheme page.

Stevenage – High Street, Old Town

We are proposing improvements to the High Street in Old Town, Stevenage.

The project aims to:

create a safer, more pleasant place for everyone to enjoy and spend more time
make it easier and more convenient for people to walk, wheel and cycle in the area.

Feedback received during our early engagement period in May 2023 is now being reviewed to help develop our designs.

View the results of High Street Old Town Stevenage - Early engagement (PDF 1.63Mb)

We will be consulting on more detailed plans later in the year.

More about the High Street, Old Town, Stevenage scheme

Coming soon

Hertfordshire Safer Routes to School

The funds received in May 2023 will be used to deliver new and improved crossing points for people walking and wheeling to create safe and accessible connections between residential areas, schools and local shops in four locations.

Welwyn Garden City and Digswell – Digswell Park Road

Please see information about the improvements to Digswell Park Road below.

Hertford – Brickendon Lane

Please see information about the improvements to Brickendon Lane below.

Letchworth – Norton Road

This scheme was implemented in April 2023 providing a new signalised crossing near the junction with Croft Lane. This has improved safety and access to St Nicholas Primary School and local shops.

Wheathampstead – Codicote Road

Please see information about the improvements to Codicote Road above.

Watford – Lower High Street

The funds received in May 2023 will be used to improve safety for cyclists at the junction with Water Lane and the High Street, with cycle priority at the side road. Footway improvements, including new dropped kerbs and tactile paving, will enhance accessibility for all user groups.

These walking and cycling improvements will complement the existing cycle networks through the heart of the town centre, with onward connections to Cassiobury Park to the north and the National Cycle Network Route 61 to the south.

Buntingford – London Road

We are pleased to confirm that the final phase of works for London Road is completed and the roads are now fully open.

The scheme has provided a continuous shared use cycling and pedestrian path along the eastern side of London Road, Station Road and High Street. It also provided new pedestrian and crossing points, lower speed limits to make the area safer for everyone, in addition to new and improved bus stops to serve the new Buntingford First School.

Latest updates

Carriageway resurfacing on the approaches to the zebra crossings was completed in early October. The remaining finishing works for London Road involves landscaping on the embankments and verges. This includes planting ten trees, daffodil bulbs, sowing grass and wildflower seed.

Stage 2 High Street

Detailed design work for High Street (Hare Street Road - Vicarage Road) is currently underway. The designs will be subject to engagement with key stakeholders and the local community, and statutory processes. We are aiming to start construction in summer 2024. We will provide further updates in due course.

More about the London Road scheme.

Completed projects

Hertford - Brickendon Lane

Following a petition by the local community to improve road safety at Brickendon Lane, a new zebra crossing has been installed near the junction with Mandeville Road to provide a safer route to schools and the town centre for local residents. The scheme also plays a crucial part in joining up our network of footpaths to provide better accessibility for all.

In addition to the crossing improvements, we have introduced traffic calming measures to slow vehicle speeds, with a cycle bypass, to create a safer environment for local residents choosing to use sustainable and active travel options. We have also cut back vegetation at the junction with Mandeville Road to improve visibility and upgraded bus stops.

The improvements were delivered in August 2023 as part of our Safer Routes to School programme, which promotes safer and healthier ways of travelling to and from school.

Watford – Wiggenhall Road

This project was successfully completed in September 2022. The scheme replaced the previous temporary cycle lane with a new wider shared use pavement. The Wiggenhall Road project received good levels of support (76%) during our public consultation in summer 2021.

In partnership with Watford Borough Council, the cycle path through Riverside Park has also recently been resurfaced. These sections now connect and form part of the national cycle network.

More about the active travel fund schemes in Watford

Welwyn Garden City and Digswell - Digswell Park Road

As part of our Safer Routes to School programme, the improvements at Digswell Park Road offer a safer and more convenient route for people walking, wheeling and cycling to schools, shop and Welwyn North train station. This includes accessible connections between residential areas, schools, and local amenities.

Construction began on 14 August 2023 and was successfully completed on 23 September 2023.

Key improvements:

A new signalised toucan crossing over Bessemer Road provides a safe pathway for pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users, facilitating easy access between the existing shared-use path on Bessemer Road and Digswell Park Road.
A new zebra crossing over Hertford Road and an additional section of shared-use path linking into Harmer Green Lane provides onward connections to Welwyn North and the surrounding countryside.
To enhance the safety of the new crossing, speed cushions have been placed along Hertford Road to slow vehicles as they approach the junction with Digswell Park Road.
The speed limit on Digswell Park Road between Bessemer Road and Hertford Road has been reduced to 20mph. The road remains closed to motor vehicles, providing a traffic-free route for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

More about the Digswell Park Road scheme, including a map.

Project timeline

Active travel funding tranche 2 (autumn 2020) – we were awarded £6.4 million in funding from the government’s Active Travel Fund.
Early Engagement exercise (spring 2021) – we undertook an initial engagement exercise to gather initial feedback and understand public opinion on our twelve draft proposals. The outcome of that exercise has helped shape designs and decide which proposals were taken forward to consultation.
Public consultation (summer 2021) – we consulted on our walking and cycling improvements in 8 different locations across 6 towns in the county.
Considering the feedback (autumn / winter 2021) – we carefully considered all comments received during consultation to inform our decision making on the next steps for each of the proposals. View the results: Active travel fund consultation report (PDF, 9.1MB).
Statutory process (late 2021-22) – where required, further statutory processes will be required which will include advertising parking restrictions and revised speed limits.
Additional £2.6 million funding announced (May 2022) – we were awarded another £2.6 million in funding from the government’s Active Travel Fund. The additional funds are planned to go towards new pedestrian and cycle facilities in Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage.
Construction (ongoing from spring 2022) – Please refer the project specific updates for detailed information on each scheme.
Additional improvements (winter / spring 2023) – an engagement exercise was held to gather initial feedback and understand public opinion on our proposals in Oaklands & Woolmer Green. The outcome of this exercise will help shape designs and define which proposals are taken forward to consultation later in the year.
Additional improvements (spring 2023) – we are undertaking an engagement exercise to gather initial feedback and understand public opinion on our initial proposals on High Street, Old Town, Stevenage. The outcome of this exercise will help shape designs and define which proposals are taken forward to consultation later in the year.
Additional £4.6 million funding announced (May 2023) – we were awarded additional funding from Active Travel England, which will support the delivery of further walking and cycling improvements across the county.

Questions? Email ATFconsultation@hertfordshire.gov.uk.