Low-traffic neighbourhoods will be considered in Watford but only if the scheme has "extensive" community support.

A low-traffic neighbourhood is designed to cut out 'rat-running' by restricting access into residential streets such as with enforcement cameras or physical objects like planters, bollards, and barriers.

This type of scheme has become particularly common in London - but with mixed success, because it can lead to greater congestion on main roads.

According to papers published by the Watford sustainable transport strategy task group, in considering whether any areas in the town would "benefit" from becoming a low-traffic neighbourhood, the "highest priority" should be "working with and listening to residents and stakeholders".

If there is "extensive" community support that is designed to address a local issue, the strategy claims such a scheme could be introduced in Watford.

A tentative proposal in 2021 by Hertfordshire County Council to turn the Cassiobury estate in Watford into a low-traffic neighbourhood was dropped after failing to receive enough support.

Related: Why Cassiobury Estate won't be turned into low traffic neighbourhood

However, the new council strategy, published in January, says low-traffic neighbourhoods can increase the number of people who decide to walk or cycle instead resulting in fewer car trips, which in turn will benefit the environment.

A low-traffic neighbourhood is intended to be trialled in Hertfordshire - outside of Watford - with the results able to provide "useful learning" for planners in Watford.

Overall, the sustainable transport strategy aims to reduce the amount of traffic clogging up Watford's roads and encouraging people to stop taking journeys of under two miles by car.

Options being recommended include expanding the bike hire scheme and installing park-and-rides for Watford by junction 5 for the M1 and by junction 20 for the M25 near Kings Langley.

The county council and Watford Borough Council also appear to be accelerating plans for a new public transport scheme to replace the 'defunct' Met Line extension between Croxley Green and Watford Junction.

Related: The new W2CL scheme lined up to replace 'defunct' MLX in Watford

The next stage of the sustainable transport strategy is to present the recommendations to the borough council's overview and scrutiny committee.

The strategy can be found here.