Surely the solution to the need for better pedestrian crossing facilities at the Beechen Grove/Clarendon Road junction would be to construct a footbridge across Beechen Grove, accessible by wheelchair and mobility scooter users via ramps?

I accept that the old subway was dark and dingy and that a footbridge would cost a lot more than the new street level crossing that Watford Council has installed at that location, but what price safety? I would not feel safe crossing at that point as an able-bodied pedestrian and I am sure that wheelchair users and mobility scooter users must feel the same.

The new crossing has failed to increase pedestrian safety while simultaneously causing horrendous traffic jams around the ring road. This does not affect only motorists; it affects bus users also. It has subtracted value rather than adding it. Has anyone received a fine for stopping on the edge of the yellow box at the junction of Clarendon Road, which seems almost unavoidable now?

I have been Christmas shopping in Watford for 50 years. Not this year. As I live in Kenton I could always come to Watford on the train. It would be even easier to get to Watford by train had Sadiq Khan not made the fatal mistake of cancelling the Met line extension to Watford after work had already started. But why should I go all the way to Watford when Harrow is nearer and has everything that Watford has apart from John Lewis? Even Wembley now has the excellent London Designer Outlet Centre. If I need a John Lewis store, there is an excellent one in Shepherd’s Bush (Westfield) which is open until 10pm most nights.

The traffic planners have crucified Watford. It is not bus, car or pedestrian friendly. And who thinks that cycling on the Watford ring road is even remotely safe?

Goodbye Watford, it was nice knowing you.

David Lawes

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