Drivers, cyclists and pedestrians across Hertfordshire are being warned of significant travel disruption as the county council announces a series of temporary closures. The restrictions, affecting roads, bridleways and footpaths, will come into force on various dates throughout January 2026.
Hertfordshire County Council published the formal notices in the Hertfordshire Mercury via the Public Notice Portal on Thursday, 8 January 2026. The key point for residents is that all restrictions will apply only when official on-site signage is displayed. Signed diversion routes will be provided where possible.
Closures starting in early January
The first wave of works begins on the day the notices were published. In Chapmore End, Ware, a 154-metre section will close for telegraph pole replacement, with traffic diverted via Chapmore End, the B158 Wadesmill Road and The Common.
Also from January 8, Beaumont Road in Wormley will see a 245-metre closure near Bread and Cheese Lane for utility service works. The signed diversion will route traffic via Beaumont Road, Bread and Cheese Lane, Appleby Street and Park Lane Paradise.
Further closures come into effect from Monday, 12 January. These include gas main works on Stanstead Drive and Murchison Road in Hoddesdon, with 30-metre closures each. Diversions will use local roads like Middlefield Road, Fairfield Road and Old Highway.
In Hertford, a 113-metre stretch affecting Nelson Street, Molewood Road and Beane Road from Wellington Street will close for sewer cleaning. Traffic will be diverted via Wellington Street, the B158 Bengeo Street and the A119 North Road.
Pedestrians in Hoddesdon should note the closure of Public Footpath No. 046 for approximately 46 metres from New River Gardens for riverbank maintenance. A signed alternative route will be provided via Public Footpath No. 047.
A major closure for drivers will be on Stortford Road in Little Hadham, where a 2,073-metre section between Cradle End and Albury Road will be shut. No waiting will be permitted at any time during the works. The diversion route is via Hadham Road, the A120 Little Hadham Bypass and Standon Road.
Mid to late January disruption
From Tuesday, 13 January, Cherry Green Lane in Westmill closes for 142 metres for water connection works, with diversions using routes 3U20 and C16.
A larger set of planned closures is scheduled from Friday, 23 January, but these are subject to on-site signage being in place. They include utility works on Rowney Lane in Dane End (70m) and a 117-metre closure on the A119 North Road in Hertford between Cedar Close and the Beane Road roundabout.
The following week, from Monday, 26 January, multiple utility and connection works will cause disruption. These affect a footpath behind Herongate Road in Cheshunt, Rosedale Way in Cheshunt, and Blounts Lane in Allens Green.
Substantial gas main replacement works will also begin in Hoddesdon on this date, affecting Bridleway South (701m) and short sections of Dymokes Way, Beyers Gardens, Danemead, Champions Way, Tunfield Road and Glenester Close. The council notes that vehicular access to properties will be maintained where possible.
Further planned works from Tuesday, 27 January include temporary closures and waiting restrictions on the A414 near Hertford and Walkern Road in Watton at Stone, and a one-day closure of Little Berkhamsted Bridleway 18.
Finally, from Thursday, 29 January, more telegraph pole replacement works are scheduled for Cherry Green Lane in Westmill (1,450m), Pelham Road in Braughing (55m), and C16 Station Hill in Westmill (100m).
What residents need to know
The council has provided essential guidance for navigating the disruption. The legal orders permit closures for up to 18 months, although active works are expected to be much shorter. Residential and emergency access will be maintained wherever it is feasible to do so.
Anyone wishing to inspect the full details of the closure orders can do so free of charge at County Hall in Hertford during normal office hours.
The authority advises all road users and pedestrians to check local signage carefully, follow all signed diversion routes, and consult the full public notices for the very latest updates before travelling.
