B487 Queensway, Hemel Hempstead, viewed from the former railway bridge
It begins near Marlowes Shopping Centre in Hemel Hempstead, then passes through the suburb of Adeyfield and under a former railway bridge (now Cycle Route 57). At the Industrial Estate the route is split by the A4147 Link Road, but picks up again near Grovehill.
The route of the B487 through Hemel Hempstead has changed a number of times. Originally it ran through Highfield along roads now inaccessible to traffic. In 1935 this section was declassified and the road rerouted along Redbourn Road to meet the newly formed A4147 in Adeyfield. Later still it was given its current route. The section immediately east of the High Street is the original 1922 route of the B487.
After leaving Hemel Hempstead the road passes underneath the M1 and onto the Redbourn Bypass, opened in 1984. The route used to head straight into Redbourn to cross the then-A5 in the village centre. Nowadays the route is split by the A5183 but picks up again at the eastern side of the bypass towards Harpenden. In Harpenden it ends at a roundabout junction with the A1081 (former A6).
History
Redbourn Bypass - the 2.5 mile road was due to be opened on 29 October 1984 by Frank Cogan, County Council Chairman (per the Hemel Hempstead Gazette of 26 October 1984). Contractor was Percy Bilton, cost £4 million. The eastern part was A5183.
