Efforts to enforce the ‘no cycling’ rules in Hatfield town centre are being stepped up by Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and Hertfordshire Constabulary, thanks to funding from Hertfordshire Highways.

New larger, more visible signs are being installed at the main access points of the town centre as well as additional signs being painted on paving.

Work to improve signage began during the week commencing 24 October, with the new signs being placed inside the boundary of existing signage. Work on the painted warnings is due to be finished by end of November, weather permitting.

Repairs to footways are also being undertaken alongside this project.

This follows requests from Hatfield Town Council and town centre businesses, to help discourage cyclists who have continued to ride in the ‘no cycling zone’.

Councillor Mandy Perkins, Executive Member for Planning and Business at Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, said: “It is essential that the no cycling zones are enforced in the town centre and that people take the restriction seriously. The area is pedestrianised and it is a danger to pedestrians when the ‘no cycling signs’ are ignored. An elderly lady has already been knocked over by a cyclist in the town centre! Hopefully the new larger and more visible signs will be adhered to and help to educate cyclists so that they are more aware of the law. Not complying with the signs is enforceable by the Police.”

Welwyn Hatfield Neighbourhood Inspector Ian Grout said: “Enforcing the no-cycling remains one of the neighbourhood priorities for Hatfield Central and we’re pleased that these new signs are being installed which makes it clearer to cyclists that they must dismount in the pedestrianised area of the town. We will continue to work with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council to make sure those who continue to breach these will be issued with a £30 fixed penalty notice. However, we hope to see a reduction in the number of calls we receive and hope it helps residents and shoppers feel safer.”

Other works to improve the area, which consist of undertaking repairs to various areas of paving within the town centre, have recently started.

Phil Bibby, Deputy Executive Member for Highways and Transport at Hertfordshire County Council, said: “While we are keen to encouraging cycling – in fact we’re developing a new cycle route for Hatfield at the moment – cyclists have to respect pedestrianised areas. Along with the repairs we’re making to the pavements in the area, we hope this work will make the town centre more accessible and safer for pedestrians.”

Work to improve signs and repair works to footways in the no cycling zone will start during the week commencing 24 October, with the new signs being placed inside the boundary of existing signage. ‘No cycling’ warnings will also be painted on tarmac, with this work due to be finished by end of November, weather permitting.