The signs are funded by East Herts Council and Hertford Town Council* and were installed by Hertfordshire County Council’s Highways team.
The project aims to support a busy and welcoming town centre. Hertford is well connected by train and bus and is easy to reach on foot or by bike from many surrounding areas. However, we recognise that some journeys – particularly from further afield – will still be made by car. The new signs will help drivers find parking more quickly, reducing the need to drive around the town looking for spaces. This helps cut congestion and air pollution, making the town centre a more pleasant place to visit and helping to attract more people into Hertford.
Many visitors to Hertford were previously only aware of the town’s multi-storey car park and the small number of on-street spaces, despite there being several other conveniently located car parks. The new signage helps ensure drivers are aware of the full range of parking options available.
Five new signs have been installed at key entry points to the town, on London Road, Ware Road, Hertingfordbury Road, North Road and Port Hill. The signs face approaching traffic and provide live information on parking availability at the Gascoyne Way, Old London Road, Hartham Common and St Andrew Street car parks.
Councillor Vicky Glover-Ward, Executive Member for Planning and Growth at East Herts Council, said: “We always encourage people to use public transport or travel by bike or on foot where possible, but we know that some journeys will be made by car, especially for people travelling from further away.
“There has been a perception that parking in Hertford is limited, but that isn’t the case. This scheme is about making Hertford easier to visit and enjoy. By providing clear, live parking information on the main routes into town, we can help reduce congestion and the resulting air pollution and, we hope, attract more visitors and support local businesses.”
Councillor Ann Woodward, Chair of the Development and Leisure Committee, Hertford Town Council, commented : “Hertford Town Council is delighted that the Variable Message Signage project for Hertford is now complete. Informing drivers about parking spaces in and around our historic town will reduce traffic congestion and unnecessary journeys, by providing live parking availability. A project of this scale takes time and a real collaborative effort across Councils. Hertford Town Council is proud to contribute to this environmentally sustainable initiative, that saves Hertford’s residents, and visitors, time looking for a parking space while improving the overall air quality. We hope that this will also have a positive impact on Hertford’s local businesses, with an improved welcome for their customers, to our unique and vibrant town.”