Mixed reaction for plans for new crossings on Watford ring road

Pedestrian crossings could be created by the junctions of Upton Road and Queens Road.

Watford Borough Council says it could encourage more people to walk and make it easier to get in and out of the town centre.

Hundreds of comments have been left on a consultation website set up by the council with some backing the new crossings and others left unimpressed.

One person said the council should be focussing on keeping subways rather than considering getting rid of them, such as the one by Queens Road.

Read more: Queens Road underpass could be replaced by crossing

A pedestrian crossing could be put here (by Queens Road) on Watford ring road (Image: Google Street View)

Another who says they often walk around the town centre described putting a crossing by Upton Road as a “stupid idea designed to make traffic worse”.

A crossing at Queens Road would be “asking for accidents” said another, claiming this part of the ring road sees people speeding “all the time”.

And some comments call for improvements to be made to the existing underpass such as making it “brighter”.

Read more: Police searching for missing woman from Watford

A crossing on the ring road (Exchange Road), controlled by traffic lights, near Upton Road has drawn some support including one person who said they feel safer crossing a “minefield”.

They wrote: “I don't care if it looks pretty, just make it a proper crossing with lights, a pedestrian crossing, etc. I'd feel safer trying to cross a minefield than that crossing in its current state.”

They added: “It's a pedestrian link to a major doctors' surgery for the town centre. People shouldn't have to fear getting hit by a car on a dangerous crossing on such a vital road.”

The council says it is keen to hear feedback on all of its proposals for the future of Watford town centre.

Others include a new pedestrian crossing in Rickmansworth Road by Cassiobury Park, and improvements to St Mary’s churchyard in High Street and Market Street.

Arguably the most transformative proposal is to ban traffic on the flyover, which could be incorporated into wider proposals to turn the ring road into a two-way street.

Read more: Plans to transform Watford ring road and flyover being explored

Read more: Opposition to Watford ring road and flyover proposals

Visit https://watfordtowncentre.commonplace.is/ to have your say.

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