Watford’s popular shopping destination Market Street is to benefit from a range of streetscape improvements...
Watford’s popular shopping destination Market Street is to benefit from a range of streetscape improvements to improve the look and feel of the area, after local residents and businesses backed a series of council proposals.
The two-month project will create an attractive, safe space at the heart of the town centre that will provide a better experience as a place to meet, relax and enjoy.
Works will begin mid-September and includes a comprehensive improvement scheme for this busy parade of shops, restaurants and other businesses and the benefits will include the introduction of better cycle parking facilities, safer cycling routes and new modern street furniture, as well as pedestrian friendly measures including renewed footway paving, improved drainage and strategically placing bollards to prevent illegal parking.
This will bring the aesthetics within Market Street up to the same standards as the major public realm scheme completed nearby within the town centre in 2019, which led to better access for pedestrians and cyclists, by reducing vehicle usage and improving the street furniture.
The council has developed a phased improvement plan for various locations which include St Albans Road, Clarendon Road, Queens Road and the Town Centre, with the long-term ambition to create sustainable and vibrant local high streets to support the community and local businesses.
Elected Mayor of Watford, Peter Taylor said: “One of my key manifesto commitments was to improve areas such as this. We must make sure that all of our town can benefit from investment and schemes like these are really important in making Watford a better place. The changes will make a real difference to the look and feel of Market Street, making it much more attractive for residents, shoppers and visitors.”
Businesses will be kept up-to-date as the work progresses, including regular engagement with them to work in co-operation with their needs.
