CHANGES look set to be made to the Green Route in St Albans Road, Watford, but although the road scheme has met with a barrage of criticism, it would cost taxpayers £1 million to scrap it altogether.

This figure would not include the repayment by Hertfordshire County Council of a Government grant made to encourage environmentally friendly transport.

The route was completed 18 months ago to encourage people to use public transport.

But a report from the county council showed that while the number of cars using the road had decreased since the Green Route was introduced, the average journey time had increased.

Rather than being scrapped, the route which cost £1.5 million is likely to be changed.

Following consultation, a report will go to the county council's transport panel on Tuesday, November 20, before being discussed by the environment select committee in January. A final decision will be made by either the full council or the council's executive.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The Green Route has never been entirely satisfactory and it is because people were not happy that we have reviewed it."

However, leader of Watford Council Vince Muspratt, who is also a county councillor, had not been informed the scheme was being reviewed.

He said: "Considering the Green Route goes through two of my wards, I think it is quite surprising they have not let me know. I will wait until I see any details before I make a comment.

"It is a disaster at the moment and it is a disaster that needs sorting out."

Councillor Muspratt did not advocate scrapping the route. He said: "They might as well spend £1 million on it and make it work."

County Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, a member of the county council transport panel, acknowledged mistakes had been made, but did not think the route has been a total failure.

He said: "Some of the things that have gone in there are not working. That is self-evident.

"Bus users we have spoken to are in favour of it. There has been a substantial decline in bus use throughout Watford but not on the Green Route.

When asked if the route would be scrapped altogether, he said: "It is extremely unlikely given the cost involved and it would be opposed by the emergency services."

Traders in St Albans Road have welcomed the review. Mrs Pamela Parmar, owner of hairdressers Upstairs Downstairs, said: "Every aspect of the Green Route has been a disaster and it has affected the trade in the road.

"I have lost clients because of it and we are dreading the Christmas period.

Mrs Val Bordley, manager of a Help the Aged shop, said: "Things were better before the changes. It needs looking at again."

October 29, 2001 16:15

Richard Evans