Watford Green Loop Safety Improvement

Installation of the much-needed Thomas Sawyer Way Toucan crossing between Oxhey Activity Park and Dalton Way is progressing well. The photograph does not do justice to this important safety improvement for pedestrians and cyclists alike. Go and take a look yourself

The shared use path between the Dalton Way Railway Viaduct and Thomas Sawyer Way has been widened and resurfaced.  The short shared use path alongside the North side of Thomas Sawyer Way to the new crossing point is complete. Safety barriers have been installed. The original crossing island is now just a traffic island

Spokes campaigned for the Watford Green Loop and are now monitoring and encouraging the safety improvements needed, including improved access between Pump Lane and the new Toucan crossing and a cycling contraflow protected Lane in St John’s Road.  Both these improvements are well advanced in design terms

There are three opportunities in March when everyone has an opportunity to influence local Cycling Infrastructure plans, full details in the Rides and Events section of this website. Please try and join us on:

6 March, drop in 10:00 until 13:00.at Watford Cycle Hub, Spokes gathering your ideas to present to local councils

18 March 19:30, 3 Rivers Council Environmental Forum at Leavesden Country Park

19 March 18:00, Watford Council Cycle Forum, Watford Town Hall Annexe

Works start Monday, 23 February 2026

Good news, work starts on the installation of a new toucan crossing, to replace the existing uncontrolled Thomas Sawyer Way crossing at the Dalton Way junction

Work is due to be completed by the end of April. Thomas Sawyer Way will be closed to traffic between Dalton Way and Wiggenhall Road 24/7 but pedestrian access across the junction of Thomas Sawyer Way and Dalton Way will remain throughout the works with temporary pedestrian routes

The probable need for cyclists to dismount during this period is a small price to pay for a much needed safety improvement

Spokes is organising 4 holidays this year. 3 of the holidays are full although there is a waiting list in case of cancellation. There are spaces available on the Italian holiday based in Rimini. Members can book, or join the waiting list, via Rides and events

St Ives, Cambridgeshire 20th – 23rd May. Rides from St Ives with Katherine. Fully booked with Members on the waiting list

Rimini 4th – 11th June. Enjoy Cycling with local guides following picturesque seaside and countryside routes

Netherlands 3rd – 10th July. Cycle tour with Peter. Fully Booked but waiting list empty

Somerset Cycle Way 27th – 28th July. Fully Booked with one Member (woman) on waiting list

Founders Kate and Fiona will be stepping into retirement/semi-retirement, and the Cycle Hub will begin its transition to new leadership for April 2026

Watford Cycle Hub has been helping our community get cycling and to stay cycling for 13 years, from 3,000+ children learning to ride, to 200+ adults gaining confidence, 1,050 free social rides, 10,000+ bike repairs, 1,800+ bikes upcycled, and 536 Trishaw rides for older residents. For Kate and Fiona the Cycle Hub represents 13 years of heart, graft, resilience and purpose

Kate and Fiona stress that the Cycle Hub is not closing and that everything will continue as normal, repairs, servicing, training, social rides, café and more

Link to Watford Cycle Hub

Having served on Spokes Committee for 29 years, founder Member Pam Mann has ably held most roles on the Committee, including Chairperson, but is probably known to most Members as our Treasurer for about 20 years until she stood down at this year’s AGM

A few Members went to Pam’s home on 3 November to thank her for her much appreciated service and present a token of our thanks with flowers and a John Lewis voucher

New Whippendell Wood bike trail now open! Watford Council are excited to launch Watford’s first-ever purpose-built mountain bike trail, right here in the heart of Whippendell Wood!

Created in partnership with Bike Park Chilterns CIC, this free-to-use trail offers riders of all abilities the chance to enjoy a safe, sustainable and progressive biking experience, just minutes from the town centre

Funded through the Watford Neighbourhood Grant (£23,000). Supported by West Herts Golf Club and Bike Park Chilterns CIC

Features natural gravel and clay berms, clear signage and wildlife-friendly design

This unique facility puts Watford on the mountain biking map, adding to our town’s fantastic green spaces like Cassiobury Park and Whippendell Wood

For more information see whippytrails.com