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

Watford - Water Lane

We will shortly be delivering road safety improvements on Water Lane at the junction with High Street in Watford. This involves rearranging the junction to encourage slower vehicle speeds and improve the visibility of people cycling southbound on High Street:

the existing two-lane approach to the junction with High Street will be reduced to one, and the footway on the northern side of Water Lane will be widened;
a raised table will be constructed at the junction;
better signage will be installed on Water Lane approaching High Street to make those who drive more aware of people cycling along High Street.

Funded by the Government’s Active Travel Fund, the 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.

Road closures

Works are due to commence on 11 March and be completed in mid-April 2024. Most of the work will take place overnight, between 8pm and 5am, to minimise disruption. There will also be a 33-hour closure on at least one weekend, from 8pm Saturday to 5am Monday:

11 March - 19 April 2024 (8pm - 5am): overnight closure of Water Lane at the junction with High Street.
10 April - 12 April 2024 (8pm - 5am): overnight closure of Water Lane and High Street.
From 8pm on 13 April - 5am on 15 April 2024: 33-hour closure of Water Lane and High Street.
15 April - 19 April 2024 (8pm - 5am): overnight closure of Water Lane and High Street.

The road closure dates are subject to weather and construction conditions, and may change.

Access routes

During the working hours, there will be no through-route along Water Lane onto High Street.

Access to properties and businesses on High Street, Smith Street, The Crescent, Granville Road, George Street, Church Street and New Street will be via Exchange Road and Cambridge Road.

We are working with Atria Shopping Centre to provide arrangements for overnight deliveries.

Vehicle access on Water Lane and High Street will remain open as usual outside the working hours.

Bus services

During the closures, the bus stops on Water Lane will be suspended and buses will be on diversion.

When Water Lane is closed overnight, services 142, 258, 306, 321, 328 & 602 will use Exchange Road to get to Lower High Street. Service 635 will use Exchange Road to serve the ring road stops and won’t serve the stops in the town.

When both Water Lane and High Street are closed overnight and for the 33-hour period, services 142, 258, 306, 321, 328, 602 & 635 will use Exchange Road to serve the ring road stops and won’t serve the stops in the town.

We're liaising with bus operators to minimise disruption during the works. Information will be published on the Intalink website, and on Twitter. Details will also be publicised on physical notices at all relevant bus stops.

Walking and cycle access

Access will be maintained for people walking throughout the works. There may be some short-term diversions which will be clearly signed. Those cycling southbound on High Street will be asked to dismount near the junction with Water Lane and share the footway with care.

For more details view the Water Lane construction plan (PDF 486KB)

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. The main works were completed at the end of November 2023, with the new raised crossings around Howardsgate open for use ahead of the festive season.

Some additional minor work will be undertaken in Spring 2024. This includes:

the installation of small dividers (light segregation) between the cycle lane and road space along Fretherne Road and Wigmores Road, and some amendments to traffic islands;
the installation of bollards south of the pedestrian crossing at Osborn Way (Stonehills);
and the installation of bollards and tree pits at Stonebank.

Following this final work, the Road Maintenance team will also be carrying out road resurfacing between the new raised crossing around Howardsgate.

Details will be provided in the new year. Until then, the roads in the town centre will remain open.

More about the Welwyn Garden City town centre scheme

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

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 from our early engagement period in May/June 2023 was reviewed and published, and helped to develop our designs: High Street Old Town Stevenage - Early engagement (PDF 1.63Mb)

We're now reviewing feedback received during our public consultation period held in February/March 2024.

More about the High Street, Old Town, Stevenage scheme

Coming soon

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.

St Albans (central)

The walking and cycling improvements in Central St Albans are 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.

Following the publication of the draft Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) we can confirm that we are progressing with the St Albans schemes. We plan to deliver the improvements in summer 2024. More information will be provided nearer the time.

Upper Marlborough Road will remain two-way

After reviewing comments received in response to the draft TRO, other recent changes in the area, and further discussion with key stakeholders, we can confirm we are no longer proposing any changes to the direction of traffic on Upper Marlborough Road. This means that vehicles will still be able to use the road in both directions. A 20mph speed limit has recently been introduced on Upper Marlborough Road making it safer for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

There will not be a dedicated southbound cycle lane as originally proposed. People cycling will be able to use the carriageway in both directions, as well as the cycle cut-through we plan to introduce at the junction with Bricket Road.

You can find out more about the project on the St Albans scheme page.

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.

Letchworth Garden City - 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.

Stevenage - North Road

A new two-way cycle route along the eastern side of North Road between Coreys Mill Lane and the A602 Lytton Way gyratory has now been installed, along with new crossing facilities and better signage to local routes.

The scheme was successfully delivered in February 2024 and provides a safe and efficient route for people walking, cycling and wheeling to the hospital, schools, Stevenage High Street, surrounding countryside and existing cycle routes, including National Cycle Network Route 12.

More information about the North Road project

Now that the walking and cycling improvements along North Road have been completed, we are now delivering a project to improve road safety and increase visibility at the junction of B197 Graveley Road and North Road. More information about our road safety project.

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.

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 and was completed in early December 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.

For details of the designs that were delivered, view the Codicote Road Roundabout Map - (PDF 330MB)

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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.