WATFORD Mayor Peter Taylor says opening up the town’s ring-road to two-way traffic would cause major disruption and cost millions of pounds that could be better spent.

Currently the ring-road around Watford town centre runs in a clock-wise direction, with access to car parks from the ‘outside’ lane.

But changing the flow – so traffic could go in both directions – is one of the measures in the County Council’s ‘South West Hertfordshire Growth and Transport Plan’ (SWH GTP).

Supporters of the idea say the ring-road can be “a barrier to movement for sustainable modes of transport between the town centre and the rest of Hertford”.

But Liberal Democrat elected Mayor Peter Taylor doesn’t believe changing the flow of the ring-road would be the best way of improving transport in the town.

“I am not convinced that the best use of the County Council’s limited budget is to pursue changes to our ring-road,” he said.

“I cannot recall a single resident contacting me to say this should be a priority.

“This would cause major disruption and cost millions of pounds. That money would be better spent investing in better public transport for Watford.”

Changes to the ring-road are just one of the concepts outlined in the South West Herts Growth and Transport Plan.

And elected Mayor Mr Taylor – who shares the Plan’s aims of reducing congestion and improving public transport – says there are other elements in the Plan that he fully supports.

“I am determined to deliver better transport infrastructure that meets the needs of our growing and thriving town,” said Mr Taylor.

“I welcome the parts of this plan that promote better and safer cycle routes and improved routes for pedestrians.

“It is vital that we get these improvements to reduce congestion and help our environment.”

The South West Hertfordshire Growth and Transport Plan sets out to provide an improved transport network, for future housing and employment development across the county.

It aims to improve ‘connectivity’ in the area – with an emphasis on walking cycling and passenger transport.

And it includes nine packages of suggested improvements in Hemel Hempstead East-West corridor; Maylands; Hemel Hempstead-Luton corridor; St Albans-Watford corridor; Watford Western Gateway; Watford-Hemel Hempstead corridor; Watford Central; Watford South; and Rickmansworth.

It was considered by Hertfordshire County Council’s Growth, Infrastructure, Planning and the Economy Cabinet Panel earlier this month.

And it is expected to go out to public consultation later this month. It will run for eight weeks, until mid September.