Significant changes to a town’s layout often mean that buildings have to be demolished. But it is rare that entire roads are wiped from existence.

The Watford Observer has again teamed up with its friends at Watford Museum to look back at structures, objects or businesses from the town’s past that have either disappeared or been relocated and this week we recall Weymouth Street.

The museum’s volunteer archivist Christine Orchard said: “As Watford's one-way system was created some roads were cut in two, some had parts nibbled off and some disappeared entirely. Weymouth Street is one such road.

An aerial view of Weymouth Street in August 1965. It is the street running vertically in the upper centre of this image. An aerial view of Weymouth Street in August 1965. It is the street running vertically in the upper centre of this image. (Image: Watford Museum)

“All the houses, the Old Berkeley Hunt pub at the St Albans Road end and Richardson’s Removals at the other end, were demolished. They are recorded in the Kelly’s directories, but I wonder if anyone has recollections of the road itself?

This aerial view from July 1968 shows that demolition work has begunThis aerial view from July 1968 shows that demolition work has begun (Image: Watford Museum)

“The cleared land was used to create a wide road (A411) that connected the brand-new large roundabout to the ring road.

The Weymouth Street area is to the left of this Google Earth image from 2022The Weymouth Street area is to the left of this Google Earth image from 2022 (Image: Google)

“This new road became the principal route from St Albans Road because the High Street was blocked off opposite the Town Hall.”

Visit the Museum Facebook page or website www.watfordmuseum.org.uk to see more historic photos.