The launch of Thomas Sawyer Way marks the successful completion of the first phase of the Watford Health Campus scheme, providing a new access route to the hospital.
Thomas Sawyer Way will open on Wednesday 16th November and runs for a mile and a half from Dalton Way to Watford General Hospital . It will significantly speed up journeys to and from the hospital, including for blue light vehicles, whose emergency times to A&E will be reduced thanks to the improved route through the south of Watford. In recognition of the road’s positive impact on hospital access for the 500,000 population served by the Watford site, the Department of Health has provided a major part of the funding (£9million). Additional funding came from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) which gave the scheme a £6million loan as part of its commitment to encourage and support jobs and business in the local area.
Thomas Sawyer Way - Route and Parking Information
Work started on the road in June 2015 and the partnership worked with contractors VolkerFitzpatrick to complete on time, navigating a number of challenges and ensuring disruption to the local road network was kept to the minimum. The project has also had a big impact on training and employment in the borough with eleven 16-24 years olds undertaking work experience or training with VolkerFitzpatrick and 121 local people finding jobs.
Speaking about the road opening, Baroness Dorothy Thornhill, Mayor of Watford said: “Thomas Sawyer Way is a fantastic achievement for the Health Campus, and the town, and is made extra special by its connection to a real local hero. We have always put support for our hospital as a top priority for the Campus and so delivering a road that will make such a difference to patients, visitors and staff is great news. This success motivates us all to get on with the next phases that will create new jobs, homes and wonderful open spaces.”
Details of how the new road changes people’s journey’s to and from Watford General Hospital can be found on the Watford Health Campus website.
(Source: Watford Borough Council)