FAQs
- A street that is more focused on people walking, spending time, and socialising
- Reduced traffic, particularly where it creates noise, pollution, or safety concerns
- More space for outdoor activity, such as seating, events, or markets
- A street that supports daily use and evening activity, not just daytime visits
- A one‑way traffic arrangement during the week to help balance movement and place, with a time‑limited closure to vehicles at weekends, creating space for people and activity
- A mix of independent shops, restaurants, bars and services
- A strong historic character and central location
- Good connections to nearby car parks and other parts of the town
- High levels of traffic, which currently dominate the street environment
- Limited space for pedestrians and outdoor activity
- Noise, air quality, and accessibility issues
- Less vibrancy in the evenings and on Sundays
- Listening – gathering views from businesses, residents, and visitors
- Testing ideas – understanding what is feasible and what works
- Co‑designing options – balancing different needs and priorities
- Trialling changes temporarily to understand what works in practice before any long‑term decisions are made
What changes are being explored?
We recognise that North Street needs to work for many different users, and any future changes will need to balance access, safety, business needs, and the overall experience of the street. These ideas are not fixed proposals — they are starting points for discussion and testing.
Why change is being considered
North Street already has many strengths:
However, there are also some key challenges that limit how the street works today:
The project is exploring how these challenges can be addressed while protecting access and supporting businesses.
How this will be developed
This project is at an early stage.
The approach will be:
About the Trial
Why is the trial happening?
The trial provides an opportunity to test a new street arrangement, helping us to assess how North Street could become an even more attractive place to visit in the future.
What is happening?
We are trialling a new one-way (southbound only) arrangement on North Street and making Water Lane. There will be no vehicle access into North Street from High Street or Market Street. At weekends, North Street will become a pedestrian and cycle zone, with no through access to motor vehicles. The zone will apply between the junctions with Water Lane and High Street/Bridge Street and will operate from 5.30pm on Fridays until 7am on Mondays.
What evidence has informed the trial?
We are building on concept work undertaken in 2024 on behalf of Bishop's Stortford Town Council, as well as extensive engagement with local businesses, the BID, the town council and other stakeholders during 2026. The trial allows us to test the proposed arrangement in practice and understand any operational, accessibility and traffic impacts before any decisions are made about the road layout and any potential long-term changes to North Street.
Who is leading the project?
The project is being funded and delivered by Hertfordshire County Council. The project is being developed in partnership with Bishop’s Stortford BID and Bishop’s Stortford Town Council. We are also working closely with East Herts Council, local businesses and the emergency services.
Why not pedestrianise the whole street immediately?
The trial approach allows us to understand the impacts of the new layout, resolve any operational challenges and gather feedback before potentially considering any more significant changes in the future. This helps reduce risk and ensures future decisions are informed by evidence ad public feedback.
Access, Parking and Deliveries
- Basbow Lane(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Apton Road(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Northgate End(External link)
- Jackson Square(External link) (note: this car park is locked at 1am)
- Basbow Lane(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Apton Road(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Northgate End(External link)
- Jackson Square(External link) (note: this car park is locked at 1am)
- Basbow Lane(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Apton Road(External link) (includes 30 minute free parking tariff)
- Northgate End(External link)
- Jackson Square(External link) (note: this car park is locked at 1am)
Will parking be removed?
No parking is initially being removed as part of the trial. However, on-street parking spaces within the weekend pedestrian and cycle zone on North Street, the Sworders Yard car park and parking to the rear of The George/Prezzo will not be accessible during the weekend closures.
Alternative parking is available in the following nearby car parks, which are all a 4 or 5 minute walk from North Street:
Will I be able to access White Horse Court, Sworder’s Yard or the parking to the rear of The George Hotel/Prezzo in a car at the weekend?
White House Court will be accessible by car via Basbow Lane during weekends. Sworders Yard and the parking to the rear of The George and Prezzo wills not be accessible during the weekend closures.
Alternative parking is available in the following nearby car parks, which are all a 4 or 5 minute walk from North Street:
How will the private car parks on Barrett Lane be accessed?
As part of the trial, we are planning a new short section of two-way traffic on Barrett Lane to allow access to the private car parks from Water Lane. However, during the initial phase of the trial there will be no through route between North Street and the car park entrances, so vehicles will not be able to drive along Barrett Lane between North Street and Water Lane.
How can I get to businesses along North Street by car at the weekend?
There is a small section of parking on North Street outside the Pedestrian & Cycle Zone. There is also on-street car parking in Water Lane.
Alternative parking is also available in the following nearby car parks, which are all a 4 or 5 minute walk from North Street:
Waitrose customers can use its car park for up to 1.5 hours.
How will businesses receive deliveries?
We have been working closely with businesses to understand delivery requirements. Most deliveries are expected to continue via existing routes and outside weekend closure periods. We are also reviewing servicing arrangements and access requirements with individual businesses to minimise disruption. There will be further engagement in the coming weeks ahead of the start of the trial.
How do I access North Street by taxi at the weekend?
The taxi rank on North Street will be unavailable at weekends. Taxis can drop people off at the north end of the street or in Water Lane. We will work with taxi drivers and operators to help develop the longer-term scheme and ensure there is dedicated space to drop people off and pick people up in the evenings and at weekends.
Why is there no Blue Badge provision to support people with limited mobility?
There is currently no Blue Badge parking in North Street and this is something we want to address as part of longer-term improvements. Blue Badge holders can park on double yellow lines, including the space outside News & Booze.
Can residents still access their homes by car?
We are working with residents to understand individual access requirements. If you think the trial may affect access to your property, please contact us so we can discuss your circumstances.
What do I do if my car is stuck in the Pedestrian & Cycle Zone on a Friday evening?
The closure to traffic is effective from 5.30pm. Bishop's Stortford Town Council will close the gate after the junction with Water Lane at 5.30pm. If you have parked at 5.29pm, your maximum stay is 30 minutes, so you should leave before the gates at Bridge Street are closed at 6pm. We are working with East Herts Council to ensure that enforcement officers are around on a Friday evening around the launch of the trial to support people in understanding the new arrangement.
Traffic, Transport and Road Safety
What will the impact be on surrounding roads?
We will be monitoring the wider traffic impact as part of the trial. This is one of the reasons why we are trialling first this rather than permanently changing the layout. We have carried out initial traffic modelling, which suggests that one extra vehicle a minute may be directed onto Link Road and one extra vehicle a minute may be directed onto Bells Hill.
Will cycles still be allowed through the closure area?
Yes. At the weekend the space will operate as a Pedestrian and Cycle Zone. People on bikes will be permitted to use the street but will be expected to do so considerately and at an appropriate speed where people are walking. A contraflow cycling facility will be available on North Street during the week to allow people to cycle northbound.
Why can't buses continue to use North Street?
Bus services will be routed via Link Road and The Causeway throughout the trial. This provides a consistent route for passengers and operators and avoids confusion caused by different routes operating on different days or at different times. There was no bus stop on North Street. The 35 and 511 services will not be using the bus stop on Bridge Street during the trial and passengers should instead use the nearest stops on Link Road.
How far will I need to walk from the nearest bus stop?
The nearest bus stops will be located on Link Road. While this is slightly further from North Street and the town centre than the existing Bridge Street stop, the stops remain within walking distance.
Why are you making the street 20mph?
We want slower vehicle speeds in an area where people are walking between businesses, crossing the road and spending time in the street. Lower speeds improve safety and create a more comfortable environment for everyone using North Street. The 20mph limit also supports the temporary nature of the trial and helps reduce additional signage and street clutter.
What are you going to do about drivers who ignore the No Entry signs and continue to travel southbound along North Street?
We will be using CCTV at the Bridge Street junction to monitor the degree of transgressions. We will also liaise with the police to ensure the area is monitored periodically. We can then consider evidence as to whether enforcement via Automatic Number Plate Recognition might be appropriate.
Will the traffic lights at Bridge Street be reprogrammed?
Yes, this will take account of North Street being exit only here and a switch will be operated by the town council each Friday evening to adjust the phasing to make it more efficient without a call from North Street.
Trial Operation
How will the gates be operated?
The gates will normally be closed by Bishop's Stortford Town Council at 5.30pm on Friday evenings and reopened at 7am on Monday mornings. Additional arrangements will be available for approved events and operational requirements.
Will the emergency services be able to access the street at the weekend?
Emergency access has been a key consideration in the design of the trial. We are working with the emergency services to agree operational arrangements. Emergency vehicles will continue to be able to access the area when required in an emergency. Depending on the nature and location of an incident, crews may choose to stop outside the Pedestrian & Cycle Zone and continue on foot. This will be an operational decision based on the circumstances of the incident.
Why are you using planters?
We are testing an experimental road layout and are using temporary materials to reinforce the new one way arrangement and give the impression of a narrower street to encourage drivers to slow down. We are using planters to mount signs and gates to support the trial arrangement.
Businesses and Events
Will businesses be compensated if trade is affected?
The trial is intended to support the long-term vitality of North Street. No compensation arrangements are proposed as part of the trial. However, we will work closely with businesses throughout the trial period to understand and respond to any concerns.
Can I hold an event in North Street during the trial?
We hope the trial will create opportunities for community and business-led activities. Anyone wishing to organise an event should contact the project team or Bishop's Stortford BID to discuss proposals and operational requirements.
Monitoring and Next Steps
How will the trial be reviewed?
We have drawn up a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. We have already been collecting data and will assess changes as the trial develops. We will put together a project report that we will discuss alongside key stakeholders, including local councillors, the town council and the BID.
How will success be measured?
We will monitor a range of data, including traffic conditions, parking and loading activity, business feedback, visitor activity, public feedback, safety concerns and the overall use of the street. These findings will help inform future decisions.
How can I let you know what I think?
During the first six months of the trial, residents, businesses and visitors will be able to share their views through an online survey. The survey will be published on this page on Monday 9 November 2026.
Once the trial starts, a statutory six-month consultation period will also open as part of the Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) process. An ETRO is a legal order allowing local authorities to trial new traffic or parking restrictions before deciding whether to make them permanent. It is through the ETRO that we are able to run this trial.
Details on how to respond to the ETRO will be published on our traffic orders webpage once the trial is live.
You can also email us at northstreet@hertfordshire.gov.uk
What is an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO)?
An Experimental Traffic Regulation Order (ETRO) is a legal order allowing local authorities to trial new traffic or parking restrictions before deciding whether to make them permanent. As part of an ETRO, there is a statutory consultation period, allowing people to make representations about the new restrictions.
What will happen next?
As part of the trial, we are hoping to install parklets and outdoor seating options, as well as improve the look and feel of the trial, from spring 2027. Any decision on whether elements of the trial should become permanent will be based on monitoring data, community feedback, stakeholder engagement and further decision-making processes.
What happens if the trial is not successful?
The purpose of an Experimental Traffic Regulation Order is to test changes and learn from experience. The scheme can be modified during the trial period, and there is no requirement for the arrangement to become permanent. No final decisions have been made at this stage.