21 Jun 2024
Residents and workers trying to access the city centre face weeks of disruption over the summer months as dramatic changes are implemented as part of a walking and cycling improvements schme.
From next Monday, June 24, until the start of September, work will commence on the county council project, which is financed by the Active Travel Fund.
It involves installing traffic lights at the junction of London Road and Marlborough Road (pictured), and a southbound cycle lane between the junctions of Victoria Street and New Kent Road, connecting up to the cycle route at Keyfield Terrace.
The works, which will be in four phases, will be carried out by HHC’s highways contractor Ringway:
Phase 1: London Road/Keyfield Terrace (June to early September);
Phase 2: Upper Marlborough Road, northern section (June to early September);
Phase 3: Upper Marlborough Road, southern section (Early July to Mid-July);
Phase 4: Marlborough Road (Mid-July to early September).
An HCC spokesperson explained: “Access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained during the works
and traffic will be managed by multiway signals. Working hours will be from 9:30-4pm during the week and 8am-1pm at weekends.
“As the improvements near completion, some temporary overnight road closures will be needed so that carriageway resurfacing works can be completed. These are expected to take place in late August and more information will be provided to those in the vicinity of the works closer to the time.”
Richard Marrett, general manager of The Maltings Shopping Centre, is concerned about some of the measures being introduced: “I think adding a set of extra traffic lights are going to cause mayhem in London Road,” he warned.
But local resident Gary Alderson is over the moon: “After four years of consultation by Herts county council I am delighted that this scheme is finally going ahead. 60% of respondents supported the scheme and a trial last year demonstrated no problems with the proposals for Marlborough Road.
“Any road works necessarily bring temporary disruption, but they are being phased to minimise impact. The overnight closures will only be towards the end of August to enable resurfacing when traffic is lightest.
“The scheme will bring significant benefits for pedestrians, cyclists and other wheeled users whilst smoothing traffic flow on London Road with safer traffic turns etc from London Road onto Marlborough Road.
“London Road has become increasingly difficult to cross in recent years and there has been an increase in population due to residential development including numbers of children. The scheme will directly address safe crossing of London Road by all users.”
