Question

Nick

Thanks for your reply.

Like many in North Watford I would have welcomed the opportunity to comment on the scheme, but I am afraid the consultation seems to have passed me by. 

I wonder if you have any details you might be able to send me? That is either how the consultation took place, or any future opportunities there might be to make a contribution.

Yours

Martin Wiesner

Answer

Martin

We sent out questionnaires to 250 households selected at random from across north Watford (between Hempstead Road and the A4008). These were followed up with face-to-face interviews. We also sent questionnaires to every property along St Albans Road from the Dome, south. That is quite a bit of consultation! Its purpose was to find what people really think about the Green Route because until then we only had the view of a vociferous (mainly car-driving) minority who ring, write or lobby members. We also ran a special meeting for the Transport Panel of our councillors at which they 'interviewed' a small selection of residents, bus users, drivers, motorists, taxi drivers, bus operators and councillors on their perceptions.

I would say, therefore, that the Lib Dem's are incorrect in saying that the route us to be reviewed - unless you take that to mean changed. If you take it to mean people asked for their opinions, I believe that has happened already to no small degree.

As the article in the Watford Observer says, the Transport Panel is making a recommendation to the senior body at county, the Environment Select Committee. That is that changes need to be made to the Watford Green Route to make it work better and to build on the initial success that it has undoubtedly demonstrated in terms of reduced HGV's, better safety, reduced through traffic and better access to bus services. They have indicated a number of areas for urgent attention. These are: making the traffic lights more responsive, making the bus lanes operate in peak times only and allowing taxis to use the bus lanes. We are also looking at engineering changes to make the bus lanes and their traffic lights work better in the light of our experience.

I hope this is useful

Nick Gough

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