Hertfordshire County Council will shortly be delivering safety improvements on Water Lane at the junction with High Street in Watford...
The road safety project 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 drivers more aware of people cycling along High Street.
Funded by the Government’s Active Travel Fund, and championed by County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, 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. The project supports our commitment to sustainable travel, improving the health and wellbeing of communities, making towns cleaner, less congested and better places to live, work and visit.
More information can be found online: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/activetravelfund
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.
|
Dates |
Site hours |
Road closure |
|
11 March – 19 April |
Overnight (8pm – 5am) |
Overnight closure of Water Lane at the junction with High Street. |
|
10 April – 12 April |
Overnight (8pm – 5am) |
Overnight closure of Water Lane and High Street. |
|
13 April – 15 April |
8pm Sat 13 April to 5am Mon 15 April. |
33-hour closure of Water Lane and High Street.
|
|
15 April – 19 April |
Overnight (8pm – 5am) |
Overnight closure of Water Lane and High Street. |
* The above dates are subject to weather and construction conditions and may change.
Access routes
During site 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. Residents and businesses will be permitted to turn right from Smith Street onto King Street to access properties on St Marys View.
Vehicle access on Water Lane and High Street will remain open as usual outside site hours.
Bus services
During site hours, the bus stops on Water Lane will be suspended.
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 are liaising with bus operators to minimise disruption during the works. Information will be published on the Intalink website: www.intalink.org.uk, and Twitter page [@Intalink]. 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.
Enquiries about the works on site can be directed to Hertfordshire County Council’s Contact Centre on 0300 123 4047 or emailed to our dedicated email address: ATFConsultation@hertfordshire.gov.uk
