Bypass

The need for a bypass around Hertford was first discussed in the 1980s.

In 1990, the then local MP, Bowen-Wells, called for a bypass around the town and in September of the same year, East Herts District Council asked the County Council to include a bypass in it's plans.

A £20m southern bypass connecting the A414 at Hertingfordbury with the dual-carriageway at Foxholes was proposed. A northern bypass was also considered but there was no obvious route.

However, the plans ran into strong opposition on environmental grounds and in October 1994 the plans were formerly rejected by the County Council's environment committee.

Since then, congestion has increased, and measures to deal with increasing traffic have not stemmed the 35,000 vehicles now using Gascoyne Way.

At the beginning of 2005 it emerged that planners were again discussing the possibility of a bypass, this time at a cost of £28. However, the plans went no further.

The Hertford & Ware Urban Transport Plan of 2010 suggests a bypass could be discussed when the plan is reviews around 2015. It states: "Should a bypass scheme gain support, implementation would be subject to funding and satisfactorily resolving other aspects such as establishing suitable routes and mitigating the impacts of any proposals.