The Ring Road has become part of everyday life in Watford but many readers will remember how the town used to look before it was constructed.

The Watford Observer is delighted to share pictures from the Watford Museum archive and this week we recall the Derby Road area of town.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “Before the Ring Road and the town’s shopping centre were built, there used to be a single main road named Derby Road.

Watford Observer: Central car park looking towards the of Gladstone Road.Central car park looking towards the of Gladstone Road.

“This road skirted around the Central car park which was on the site of several streets of houses. The Central car park was sometimes known as the Clifford Street car park which was one of the names of a road previously on the site.

“This photograph (at the top of the page) shows the early stages of construction of the Derby Road section of the Ring Road between Queens Road and Water Lane.

“Further road building took place later to put through the road that leads to the roundabout by Five Arches.”

  • Watford Museum is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm.