From eWatford Observer - 5:50pm Monday 13th July 2009

Road plans get County Hall backing

By John Harrison »


Councillors have approved plans that could see seven landowners forced
to sell prime retail land in central Watford.
Members on Hertfordshire County Council today voted in favour of a
policy that could impose compulsory purchase orders on seven companies
along St Albans Road.
The proposal is part of plans to build a new link road between the M1
motorway and Watford Junction.
The road will link Colonial Way with St Albans Road, as well as the
busy station, and is intended to cross the main railway line to link
east and west Watford.
The land earmarked for construction is currently occupied by TK Maxx,
Staples and Homebase superstores.
At a meeting, held inside County Hall, in Hertford, this afternoon,
councillors agree to first seek to acquire the land through
negotiation.
However, they voted to follow a police of compulsory purchase is
necessary.
The executive member for transport, County Councillor Stuart Pile,
told fellow councillors the new road would ease congestion and a new
station “hub” would provide additional parking.
Hertfordshire County Council officers say the new road would offer a
“more direct connection to the motorway system” and “alleviate
existing traffic congestion”.
One option under consideration would see the proposed road built as an
extension to Colonial Way, passing over the railway track and through
the Homebase car park.
The second option, however, would see the new road built directly on
top of a unit currently containing T K Maxx.
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John Burke
WRUG