Plans for an off-road cycle track along part of the A602 Improvement scheme, which is funded by Hertfordshire LEP and Hertfordshire County Council, has been given the go-ahead by the Local Planning Authority. 

The new off-road track will start on Sacombe Pound, pass under the new stretch of A602 Ware Road, and continue down the western edge of the A602 to Stoneyhills junction, enhancing walking and cycling facilities in the local area.

It will provide a link to popular local routes, as well as allowing safe crossing of the busy main road. By removing the severance caused by the A602, better connections can be made by communities on either side of this key route, opening Hertfordshire towards more sustainable methods of travel.

Hertfordshire County Council sought advice from residents and local cycle groups about the provision of active and sustainable travel routes and, as a result of this engagement, the off-road track was incorporated into the design of the A602 Improvements Scheme.  This new cycle track supports the aspirations in Hertfordshire County Council’s Local Transport Plan which places more emphasis on walking and cycling.

Phil Bibby, Cabinet Member for Highways and Environment said: “This is fantastic news and a major milestone reached in the A602 improvement scheme. By listening to local residents and cycle groups, our plans will now provide a more sustainable and safer way of travel for residents in the area. This action forms part of our commitment to inspire residents and businesses to take action in making Hertfordshire cleaner, greener and more sustainable.”

The A602 Improvements Scheme is funded by a £20m Local Growth Fund investment from Hertfordshire LEP and funding from Hertfordshire County Council. The construction of the track will be undertaken alongside the ongoing improvements to Section B, between Watton-at-Stone and Tonwell.

This work includes enlarging the roundabout at the junction of A119 Hertford Road with A602 Ware Road to enhance capacity, and realigning the A602 Ware Road, from Heath Mount School to Stoneyhills junction, to improve the standard of the route.  

Adam Wood, Head of Infrastructure and Regeneration at Hertfordshire LEP said: “Our investment is facilitating the vital work needed to improve the safety and reliability of this persistently busy section of Hertfordshire’s highway network. The planned interventions will encourage the use of sustainable transport and help future-proof this strategic east-west route as Hertfordshire’s population increases and its economy grows.”

The work will also support some of the objectives set out in Hertfordshire County Council’s Sustainability Strategy and Hertfordshire LEP’s Local Industrial Strategy which builds on the concept of good sustainable economic and place-based growth set out in its Strategic Economic Plan to 2030.

The A602 works, including the cycle track, are now expected to be completed in spring 2022. The planned opening has been delayed due to the influence of the COVID-19 on the project and the management of unexpected contaminated soils on site.

Further information about the A602 Improvements Scheme can be found at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/A602.