Hertfordshire County Council, in partnership with developer Solum, and bus operator Arriva, has opened Sextons Road, a new connection from the south of Bishop’s Stortford directly to the town’s rail station and future bus interchange.
The route, now open to buses, pedestrians, cyclists and other authorised vehicles only, forms part of the county’s wider sustainable transport strategy and is designed to help reduce car dependency, improve air quality, and encourage active travel & use of public transport.
From the end of August, Bus Service 511 will divert along Sextons Road, providing more reliable public transport links and offering a greener alternative to driving. By diverting buses onto this route, improvements to journey times and air quality are expected in parts of the town centre where congestion has previously been a concern.
Also underway is a new pedestrian route connecting the train station with the River Stort towpath and Millennium Bridge. This route will be delivered alongside extensive landscaping and a new children’s play area, further enhancing the public realm and encouraging green, active travel; with works due for completion in October 2025.
To mark the opening, councillors joined representatives from Solum, Arriva and Hertfordshire County Council for a photo opportunity and to welcome the first Enviro 200 bus through the newly 20mph restricted corridor.
Cllr Adrian England, Executive Member for Active Travel & Sustainable Transport at Hertfordshire County Council, said:
“Sextons Road is an important step towards our vision of a cleaner, healthier, and better-connected Hertfordshire. By linking directly to Bishop’s Stortford Rail Station and the new bus interchange, it gives people more choice in how they travel, whether that’s walking, wheeling, or taking the bus. This is about making sustainable transport the easy and obvious choice for everyday journeys.”
The new road has been delivered by Solum as part of its wider investment in the area, which includes plans for up to 423 new homes and a range of public realm improvements.
Leigh Thomas, Group Managing Director of Kier Property and Head of Solum, added:
“We’re proud to be working in partnership with the County Council to deliver real transport benefits alongside new homes. Sextons Road is a critical link that unlocks better, cleaner travel choices for the whole community.”
For more information about Hertfordshire County Council’s work to improve sustainable transport, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/activetravel