TEMPERS frayed and strong words were exchanged on Thursday night last week at a meeting to discuss the regeneration of West Watford and South Oxhey.

In a public meeting organised by Oxhey Village Environment Group, representatives from Watford Council outlined their plans and answered a barrage of questions from the concerned audience.

West Watford and South Oxhey are set to be "regenerated" as part of a Government scheme to provide support for improvements, economic development and industrial competitiveness in urban centres throughout the country.

Watford and South West Hertfordshire Area Partnership has been awarded £6.2 million to spend during the next seven years.

Regeneration includes environmental improvements, education and training, sustainable employment, community facilities and support, and transport alterations.

Among worries raised were the issues of traffic congestion, environmental impact and developments resulting from the proposal.

Mr Ross King, from Oxhey, told the meeting: "We have been choked and encroached upon by the rest of the town and feel like we have been abused over a long period of time."

Discussing the many potential road improvements and routes put forward by the proposal, he reinforced the traffic and environmental fears.

He said: "To me this seems like a long-term drive to a link from the M25 to the M1 which will pass through Bushey. The traffic is bad enough and it will become even worse. My fears are of what may happen in the future."

Mr King also raised environmental concerns that might affect the Colne Valley area.

He said: "With a possible 70,000 to 150,000 cars going along that route it cannot fail to affect the environment with the dust, fumes and noise."

Council leader Vince Muspratt answered questions and tried to calm worried residents.

He said: "Regeneration will produce more jobs and help train people for the jobs.

"We are at an early stage still and we need to hear what people think and have to say.

"We will do our best to make it work but whatever happens it is likely that we won't agree with everyone's view in the end."

Members were angry at the failure of Hertfordshire County Council to send a representative to the meeting. Mr Mike Younghusband was unable to make it as he was discussing the matter at another meeting.

Mr Andy Billings, chairman of OVEG, said afterwards: "There was a strong general feeling that the county council was not interested in what we had to say and therefore no one was sent along."

On the whole he thought the proposal was a good one. He hoped it would boost job prospects and was glad that traffic management proposals would be implemented.

He said: "Although it is a worthwhile proposal traffic is an important issue. It is already very bad and could get much worse.

"The council has now realised the strength of people's opinions and hopefully they will continue to do so until policies are finalised."

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