Traffic light signals at St Albans Road in Watford to be changed to reduce traffic congestion

Watford councillors and Berkeley Homes have confirmed that traffic signals at the junction of St Albans Road and Penn Road will be changed in order to reduce traffic congestion.

The current traffic signals at the junction are set to give equal priority to traffic from both roads. This has led to congestion on St Albans Road, as vehicles from Penn Road are often able to turn onto St Albans Road before traffic from St Albans Road can clear the junction.

The new traffic signals will be fitted with additional sensors that will detect whether vehicles are waiting to turn into or out of Penn Road. If there are no vehicles waiting to turn, the lights will be programmed to prioritize traffic flow on St Albans Road.

The changes are expected to be implemented in the coming weeks.

Liberal Democrat borough councillor Dawn Allen-Williamson, who represents the Callowland ward, said: “I am pleased that Berkeley Homes has agreed to make these changes to the traffic signals at this junction. The current signals have been causing a lot of congestion on St Albans Road, and I am confident that the new signals will help to improve traffic flow in the area.”

A spokesperson for Berkeley Homes said: “We are committed to working with the local community and the council to address any traffic concerns. We believe that the changes to the traffic signals at this junction will help to improve traffic flow in the area.”

Project construction director Henry Castle-Smith said: “We have been in contact with Herts County Council and we have manged to effectively solve the issue.

“Within the next two weeks we will have some additional sensors being installed on the lights which will provide a better bias for St Albans Road and hopefully improve it for local road users as they go through the junction.”

Cllr Stotesbury, who is the council’s cabinet member responsible for transport, added that the changes aim to “increase the flow of transport down St Albans Road” and they are expected to go live in around two weeks’ time.

“residents had complained of increased congestion in the road, and had been pushing for changes since May. Works vehicles avoiding rush hour and other smaller “sensible” compromises were also discussed in order to limit traffic.

This news comes ahead of Leavesden Road resurfacing works which have been rescheduled to Thursday 17 August 2023 to Tuesday 22 August 2023 between 9:30am and 4:00pm.