Issue 122: Winter 2024

Watford Borough Council (WBC) have announced that Watford Green Loop will be officially opened by the Mayor on Monday 17th November

Spokes conceived the idea of a circular cycling route around Watford in 2019 using quiet roads and existing off-road tracks. WBC adopted, and improved, the idea including widening a shared use path in Cassiobury Park

The 6.5 mile route ranges from the bustling Watford Junction railway station to tranquil Cassiobury Park and connects key locations, serene open spaces and valued heritage sites, using the popular National Cycle Route 6, Ebury Way and a joined up network of cycle paths. Signage for the route is currently being installed and will be complete in the next few weeks

The launch will be celebrated with Spokes leading rides around the route. Watch out for further details and visit the WBC website to download a leaflet, see a map of the route and link to a Spokes designed gps route that you can download

https://www.watford.gov.uk/greenloop

On or before 21 August Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) contractors closed the shared use path between Oxhey Activity Park and the Retail Park with barriers each side of the Railway Viaduct. Signage from the Activity Park for Pedestrians led them on to Dalton Way to walk in the road with their back to the traffic. From the High Street the sign at the Railway Viaduct simply directed Pedestrians back the way they had come

This very dangerous situation remained for at least two weeks, after which barriers were erected to provide protection for pedestrians walking along Dalton Way. Spokes have informed Watford Borough Council (WBC) of our concern that this danger was created and remained a danger for so long. WBC have passed our concerns on to HCC

We have since received an update that the emergency works have been permitted by HCC and are likely to continue until late October

Lovely, flat cycling in Bruges, Belgium, one of the most picturesque cities in Northern Europe

Netherlands has a reputation for well served for cyclists but Belgium is just as good

More information

In 2025 we hope to have more than one cycling trip so keep your eyes open!