In response to the letter from Lawrence Parnell published on August 27.

Watford Borough Council’s 20-year strategy ‘Transforming Travel in Watford 2021-2041’ is focused on reducing traffic congestion, airborne pollution and carbon dioxide and creating greener transport options for Watford residents.

The strategy, which has been developed with Hertfordshire County Council, is also aimed at commuters and visitors from neighbouring boroughs as Watford is both an employment and a retail hub for the whole of Hertfordshire. Many people from Three Rivers, Hertsmere, Dacorum and St Albans work in the town and make use of the shops, restaurants and leisure activities that Watford is renowned for. They also use Watford to connect to national and regional rail systems.

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Affordable and convenient public transport that connects the town better internally and externally to local towns and villages is central to the plan. No town or district operates in isolation, and our neighbouring councils like Three Rivers, Dacorum and Hertsmere share our vision for reducing car use and creating cleaner, greener places. In 2019 these councils declared a climate emergency and are committed to reducing carbon and to mitigate the effects of climate change.

As a sector, transport is responsible for producing more greenhouse gases than any other sector in the UK – we must take urgent local action now to reduce its impact

The County Council South West Hertfordshire Growth and Transport Plan, which was approved in 2019, identified the concept of a Park and Ride hub close to Kings Langley. This has been taken forward into the Sustainable Transport Strategy as one of the longer term options we are looking at to reduce the traffic coming in to the town and the harmful emissions and pollutants that our children get exposed to. As there is no available land in Watford any proposed scheme would have to be located outside of the town. The scheme concept is at an early stage of development - we will look first at the feasibility and consult on it in partnership with neighbouring local authorities. The sites we are currently looking at do not sit within Three Rivers District Council.

Wherever we live, we all have a part to play in making our towns less congested, healthier and cleaner. By making these changes, we are choosing to be part of the solution to the Climate Emergency.

I would urge anyone who lives in, works in or travels through Watford to examine our proposals at futuretravelwatford.com and share their feedback with us.

Tom Dobrashian

Head of Place Shaping, Watford Borough Council