We have been advised ( at very short notice and without any consultation whatsoever!) that a Temporary Traffic Regulation Order has been granted for Sunday 24 May 2026 between 0600 – 1400 hours for Bishop’s Stortford Running Festival.
The Order states that the following roads will be affected:
Bells Hill, Windhill, High Street, North Street, Water Lane, Bridge Street, Market Street, Potter Street, South Street, Church Street and Palmers Lane.
This will affect all those who will be travelling to St Joseph and the English Martyrs Catholic Church to attend our Masses, as well as a Baptism celebration and also parishioners at St Michaels Church, our neighbours.
Following several discussions with Hertfordshire Highways and the event organisers this week, the following action has been agreed:
There will be a single lane coned off along Windhill specifically for access into the church car park. The lane will be coned and taped off so safe for all parties
Between 0800 – 1400 hours, there will be two traffic management marshals on site to assist parishioners with vehicle access. One will be at the roundabout at Bells Hill and the other at the entrance to the car park.
The High Street will be closed, so we ask for parishioners to approach the closure from Great Hadham Road only.
Those who require vehicle access will be marshalled through the closure and into the dedicated lane. Please drive VERY SLOWLY and CAREFULLY following instructions from the marshals, being aware that there will be runners on the opposite lane on Windhill. There may also be other vehicles driving in the opposite direction to you as you enter/ exit the car park so please take great care!
The two disabled parking bays outside the front door of the church will be available. Parking on Windhill itself is not possible.
It is suggested that those leaving the 9am Mass on Sunday ( if not staying for refreshments) ideally need to leave as soon as Mass has finished and before 10.20am or after 11.15am and those arriving for the 11am Mass on Sunday need to ensure that they don’t arrive before 10.30am in order to allow the 9am parishioners sufficient time to leave the car park and to avoid meeting other vehicles head on in the one lane entry/exit on Windhill.
If you are able to walk to Mass on Sunday, that might be the better option! If there is anyone that you know who does not have email and comes to church by taxi, please do pass on the message about access.
Below is a plan, the yellow lane will be for the church:
