Dedicated cycle lane plan along Gallows Hill not part of agreed plan

Earlier this year, Three Rives District Council adopted its Local Cycling, Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which sets out how the local authority aims to create high-quality, safe and attractive paths for people walking, wheeling and cycling.

Within the LCWIP is Route 17 – that would effectively connect Three Rivers with the routes in Watford and Kings Langley. The route remains a desired route but no specific interventions, such as a dedicated cycle lane, have been identified.

The route is important in connecting with the towns but has not been identified as a priority route for the council and is unlikely to progress as a priority route in the short to medium term.

Future funding for cycling and walking improvements is likely to be directed to priority routes or improvements related to the funding source. If funding does become available for the north of this district, then officers would consider Route 17, in discussions with Watford Borough Council, but this would require further detailed investigation and study of both the route alignment feasibility and any proposed interventions which is more likely to include junction changes. This would require future consultation with members and the public.

In addition, both district and county council officers have agreed that a dedicated cycle lane is unlikely to be supported due to the road’s width.

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst, Leader of Three Rivers District Council, said: “As I have told residents the suggestion that the council has voted to build a cycle lane along Gallows Hill is just not true. It is not in the agreed LCWIP and even if it were proposed it would have to be agreed by Hertfordshire County Council and consulted on.

“It is deeply disappointing that some people have misunderstood the process and certainly the plan as no such thing is proposed and certainly not agreed.”