New Road to Riverwell will open up development

The first phase of the ambitious £350 million Watford Riverwell scheme has been completed with the opening of a new road that provides faster access to the hospital for emergency vehicles. It also provides the infrastructure that will enable new homes and jobs to be created.

The road, named Thomas Sawyer Way, stretches a mile through Watford and has delivered improved access to the local hospital. It is named after Captain Thomas Sawyer, a Watford resident who served in the Royal Artillery and died in Afghanistan in 2009.

Work started on the road in June 2015 and over 100 local people were employed to help with construction, including eleven 16-24 year olds who benefited from work experience and training, with some going on to be offered full-time employment. In addition, over £5million of contracts were awarded to local businesses. The Watford Riverwell scheme can now move forward with delivering new employment space and much needed new homes, as well as creating high quality public open spaces and community facilities.

Baroness Dorothy Thornhill MBE, Elected Mayor of Watford, who officially opened the road on 16 November 2016 said: “The new road is a fantastic achievement for the Watford Riverwell and the town. Putting in place the infrastructure first is critically important before we get on with the next phases that will create new jobs, homes and wonderful open spaces.”