Ambitious plans to convert the Watford town centre ring road into a two-way traffic system have been scrapped.

Highways officials carried out a “feasibility study” to see whether it would be possible to allow vehicles to travel both directions around the route, which links Beechen Grove and Exchange Road.

However, hopes that these changes would lead to reduced congestion and delays on the notoriously busy ring road were dashed when it was found the proposals would actually lead to more problems.

There were also problems relating to how cars would access the town centre car parks.

A Hertfordshire Highways representative said: “Hertfordshire Highways carried out a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of making the ring road around the town centre two-way.

“While most of the work could be carried out within the existing highway boundary, unfortunately there were a number of issues that made the plans unfeasible.

“The study showed that a two-way ring road could increase congestion and delays to buses, and there were also issues with how the Harlequin Centre car parks would be accessed.

"Work will now concentrate on improving access to the town centre by other modes of transport."