THURSDAY 18th JUNE 2009Breakdowns Cause Tailbacks
Two separate breakdowns on opposite carriageways caused long delays on Gascoyne Way this afternoon.
The two vehicles broke down at almost the same spot at the eastern end of the relief road within yards of the Bluecoats Roundabout.
Police reduced both carriageways to one lane, causing long tailbacks. Drivers reported journey times of up to an hour to get from Thieves Lane to Bluecoats with tailbacks heading towards Welwyn Garden City.
WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE 2009Towpath Re-opens
The towpath between Frampton Street and the Hertford Basin has re-opened after work on the moorings.
The work was carried out by British Waterways and scheduled to complete by the end of May. As well as work strengthening the moorings, contractors have also carried out landscaping and resurfacing.
WEDNESDAY 17th JUNE 2009Pedestrian Works Start Monday
Work on improvements to pedestrian routes between the town's two stations start on Monday 22nd June .
Hertfordshire Highways are warning that there will be a medium impact on local residents and the travelling public whilst the works take place.
Additional signage is to be provided outside the stations and at Bircherley Green, Salisbury Square, The Wash and at Old Cross.
Improvements to existing crossing sites include the installation of tactile paving, adjustments to dropped kerbs and resurfacing in Mill Road, St.John's Street, Priory Street, Cedar Close and Sele Road.
Mill Road outside Hertford East Station will be narrowed on both sides and the footways widened, with a new larger island installed. This may require temporary traffic signals at weekends.
Cedar Close will also be provided with a new island.
FRIDAY 12th JUNE 2009Marquee Closes
The Hertford Marquee in Railway Street closed down unexpectedly last week.
The live music venue was one a dwindling number of businesses occupying The Marquee Centre, which is beleived to be suffering from a number of maintenance issues.
Recently the club had hosted a string of well-known acts including The Feeling, Athlete and Dirty Pretty Things. Members of Supergrass were scheduled to appear this evening.
Owner Peter Clark is reported as being in discussion with lawyers and has refused to comment on the closure, which has resulted in ten job loses.
THURSDAY 11th JUNE 2009Hello Dolly
A new womenswear shop has opened at 1 Parliament Square.
Dolly has been opened by a former staff member of Kitten, which vacated ther premises earlier in the year.
The shop has been described as having a good range, reasonably priced and with a nice shopping environment. There is also an excellent and unusual jewellery section.
TUESDAY 9th JUNE 2009Ware Park Mill Appeal
Developer Garrards have lodged an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate over the District Council's refusal of planning permission for a five storey housing development on green belt land next to the River Lee.
The Council's Development Control Committe unanimously rejected the proposals in December last year after a campaign by local residents.
Reasons for refusal included the green belt nature of the site, detrimental size and appearance, poor access and the impact on neighbouring properties.
The plans would see 18 new homes on the riverside site.
Local residents have vowed to fight the new plans, with a public enquiry due in September.
MONDAY 8th JUNE 2009Town Centre Improvements
Maps to make the town easier for visitors to explore and more plants to brighten the area are just some of the improvements East Herts Council will be introducing as part a £15,000 investment into the town centre.
East Herts approached Hertford Town Council and invited them to submit bids to enhance the town centre. Various proposals were put forward, all of which were agreed at the recent Executive meeting, including new planters, maps of the town centre for Bircherley Green, Castle Hall and other car parks, improvements to pedestrian signage and the fountain in Salisbury Square
Executive member for environment and conservation, Cllr Terence Milner said: "Hertford is a picturesque town and we are committed to investing in its future to make sure that it stays that way. In this time of recession, it has never been more important to make the town as attractive as possible and these plans are positive step forward to invite more tourists and shoppers to the area, as well as improving the town for residents".
Work to implement the improvements will begin in the summer.
MONDAY 8th JUNE 2009Churchyard Assault
Police are appealing for information and witnesses after a man was assaulted in Hertford last Thursday.
The incident took place at just before 10pm in the car park of All Saints Church, on Churchfields. Two men were involved in a verbal altercation in the church grounds which resulted in one man being struck on the head with a metal implement. The offender made off in a dark red or maroon coloured saloon ‘R’ registration car along Queens Road.
The victim, a man in his 50s from Hertford, suffered cuts and bruising to his head which required hospital treatment.
The offender has been described as a man of mixed race, around 5ft 6ins tall with short dark hair and wearing a white t-shirt and dark trousers.
Detective Sergeant Lee Waller said: "We are treating this incident as Grievous Bodily Harm due to the seriousness of the assault. We are following a number of lines of enquiry however, I would like to appeal to anyone who believes they may have seen this incident take place, or the man driving from the scene in the dark red car, to contact me".
Herts Police can be contacted on 0845 33 00 222. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers, the independent charity, on 0800 555 111.
THURSDAY 4th JUNE 2009The House Kitchen
The Hertford House Hotel have opened their new eatery The House Kitchen in Fore Street.
The hotel acquired the premises from Churchills estate agency, who relocated to nearby premises in Parliament Square.
The House Kitchen promises customers affordable dining-out, seven days a week, with a menu to match that of the hotel. The former House Kitchen in the Hertford House Hotel becomes the Mercury Room and will be available for private functions including wedding receptions, parties and other special occasions.
Teas, coffees and even ice cream are on hand for those who simply want to linger and chat at one of the 60 or so places in the restaurant. At weekends the House Kitchen will serve traditional Sunday roasts with all the trimmings, with chef carving the joint.
Despite the downturn, Hertford's restaurants continue to thrive, with more premises due to open in the coming months.
