Rickmansworth High Street to reopen to traffic on weekdays

Following a trial and consultation, Rickmansworth High Street will be closed to vehicles on weekends only from next year.

A board of Hertfordshire County Council and Three Rivers District Council councillors recommended that the road be closed from 10am on Saturdays to 6am on Mondays.

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Councillor Reena Ranger, who is part of both councils, said: “When we consulted with residents and businesses, it was clear that the trial measures were not working for many of them.

“A weekend closure to traffic will help to create a safer space to run markets and events to support the high street.”

Rickmansworth High Street (Image: Hertfordshire County Council)

Once the relevant traffic orders are amended, in the new year, the changes will come into effect. Changes to parking arrangements will also be made to help businesses load and unload goods while blue badge and pedestrian improvements will also be made.

The current trial has been in place since March. The council received 861 completed responses and 46 per cent were supportive of the trial measures, while 49 per cent would prefer the road to be reopened to traffic.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, who also sits on both councils, said: "The High Street Recovery trial has benefited many people who visit Rickmansworth High Street.

“Those who walked and cycled into Rickmansworth supported it and wanted it to remain traffic-free.

“People who drove into Rickmansworth felt more inconvenienced, even though there are over 500 parking spaces in nearby car parks.

“Keeping the road closed after 10am weekdays did not achieve majority public support and there were mixed views from businesses.

“Going to a weekend closure only will still allow for street markets then, and the possibility of re-visiting further days closures if the public and businesses want that.”

Timed Rickmansworth High Street closures were initially put in place during lockdown to help vulnerable people safely access services.

After engagement at the time showed support for retaining the changes as part of a trial, the council put this in place.