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Watford High Street Cycle Lane Danger solution adopted by Herts County Council (HCC)

SPOKES have supported Hertfordshire County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst in his efforts to get an already costed and approved plan, for reconstructing the dangerous junction of the Watford High Street Cycle Lane with Water Lane, actioned as a high priority. We know of at least 3 cyclists being hit by cars there and numerous near misses. We have observed that 90% of drivers turning from Water Lane to go up the High Street towards King Street do not stop at the stop line or look right before emerging.

We set up a petition on the HCC Website and publicised the urgent need to reduce the risk of a cyclist, wheelchair user or pedestrian being killed. We are pleased to report that HCC have agreed to include the necessary work in this financial year (2023/4) and Stephen is continuing pressure to ensure that happens.

The plan below shows the layout of the new junction. Key changes are moving the Cycle Lane out further into the High Street, to improve the Cyclists’ sight line, and reducing Water Lane to one lane of traffic with a more distinct turn so it is less easy for drivers to treat the right turn more like a bend than a road junction. It may not be a complete solution but will definitely be an improvement. It may be necessary to continue our so far unsuccessful efforts to get Police enforcement of the STOP Sign.

Watford Lower High Street Cycle Lane Danger for Cyclists and Wheelchair users

Corner of Water Lane and High Street by the Cotswold Store, the Blue Pyramid

Please sign our petition to Herts County Council for improvement of the dangerous junction with Water Lane and the Lower High Street contra flow cycle lane (Cotswold store “Blue Pyramid” corner).   Just click on the link below, register or login to Herts CC Webpage and “sign” the petition.  It is quick and easy.

We know by observation that 90% of drivers turning right into the High Street from Water Lane do not stop at the stop line and do not look right.  In the past 18 months two SPOKES Members have been knocked off their bikes at this junction, both involved Police attendance and Hospital treatment.  The major injury was to Mick Leonard this February, resulting in two hairline spine fractures, a wedge fracture in the spine, fractured wrist and now an elbow lump that potentially results from the accident is being investigated.

In a 20 minute observation of the junction in March, Mick Leonard observed 3 near misses including a powered wheelchair user who was nearly hit.

4 schemes have been submitted to HCC for funding from the Active Travel Fund, including a costed and approved design for this junction. We have registered a petition on HCC Website to make this junction an early priority before someone is killed.

If you live or work in the Watford locality, or use this cycle lane, please support this petition which can be found at: ePetition – Watford High St Cycle Lane danger (hertfordshire.gov.uk) Our response is urgent so we can submit it before  the decision on the 4 projects is made.

Peter Jackson – SPOKES S W Herts Chairperson