Hidden Henley

This puzzling sight is all that’s left of an “old-school” traffic sensor which can be found opposite The Catherine Wheel in Hart Street in our town and close to the taxi parking point. Long before all the electronic sophistication available today, long rubber strips at right angles to the road tripped the timers on what was a traditional town centre cross roads. The two rubber strips have now completely worn away! Please take care if you are taking a look for yourself as you walk on the pavement on the side opposite the Wetherspoon. There were others where the paved pedestrianisation area is now.

Looking at my picture now may remind some readers of nearly 27 years ago or so when the central junction close to here was four-way and traffic went both directions in Falaise Square and Duke Street. It’s especially difficult to imagine Duke Street being two-way when you look now! Greys Roads car park had not yet become a thoroughfare. The local newspaper (28/5/19) reported how Henley Councillors took only 30 minutes to vote against what was then a trial traffic scheme. Henley general public also had their say with 1,572 votes against the implementation of the proposed scheme and 369 votes in favour.

And the rest, as they say, is history.