Give your views on final proposals for cycling and walking improvements in Hemel Hempstead and beyond

Residents can share their views on several proposals to improve facilities for pedestrians and cyclists in Hertfordshire.

In November last year, Hertfordshire County Council was awarded £6.4million through the Government’s Active Travel Fund which supports local authorities to create safer, user-friendly spaces for those that cycle and walk.

The County Council identified sites, across six towns and cities - including Hemel Hempstead - and devised proposals for each which comprise a combination of new facilities, as well as the upgrading of some temporary measures to permanent installations.

Earlier this year residents had their say on initial proposals and this feedback has been used to shape how the schemes have been developed ahead of this public consultation on eight projects, with the County Council wanting to create more and enhanced facilities for people that choose to use a bike or walk on their day-to-day journeys.

A final consultation is now open, and will close on Friday, July 30.

The proposals are part of the County Council’s commitment to improving everyone's health and wellbeing, making towns cleaner, less congested and better places to live, work and visit.

The locations of the proposed improvements are:

> Buncefield Lane Roundabout, Hemel Hempstead - creation of a cycle and pedestrian-friendly ’Dutch-style’ roundabout.

> London Road, Buntingford - a new shared cycle and pedestrian route, new crossing points, improvements to junctions, speed limit changes and better access to the high street and schools.

> North Road, Stevenage – a dedicated two-way cycle track and crossing improvements, linking Stevenage Old Town to Lister Hospital and northwards to proposed new housing developments.

> Central St Albans – a number of cycling and walking improvements, including dedicated space for cyclists, new crossing points and changes to access.

> Wiggenhall Road, Watford - upgrading the temporary cycle lane to provide a permanent shared cycle and walking facility.

> Stratford Way junction, Watford – upgrades at the Stratford Way/Hempstead Road junction to provide easier and safer journeys on foot and bike across the junction.

> Hunters Bridge (Bridge Road), Welwyn Garden City – removal of temporary cycle lanes replaced by a two-way cycle track on the southern side of the road connecting to the town centre, proposed new housing developments and the existing cycle network on Bessemer Road.

> Digswell Park Road, Welwyn Garden City – retention of road closure and improvement of quiet route for those that walk and cycle. Including speed limit reduction and crossing improvements at Bessemer Road and Hertford Road.

Phil Bibby, executive member for Highways and Transport at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “We are committed to creating a much-improved environment for pedestrians and cyclists across Hertfordshire, so encouraging healthier travel and reducing pollution are clearly fundamental to this.

“These proposed schemes will encourage and empower many more people to travel in an active and environmentally-friendly way, which in turn will deliver significant long-term benefits to the health and wellbeing of our residents and reduce our impact on the environment.

“We would like as many of our residents as possible to give their views through the consultation, so we can make sure that the schemes are delivered with our communities in mind.”

The consultation is open until Friday, July 30. For more information, including on how you can provide your views, visit: hertfordshire.gov.uk/activetravelfund.