Question

Thanks Nick

I think what you are trying to say is that the scheme received vociferous criticism, and that you organised some market research, looking for some sort of positive feedback. I don't think you are able to say this was a "consultation", since most people seem to be entirely unaware of it happening, and there was no opportunity for interested parties to contribute.

Your points about the things that need to change: bus lanes and traffic lights is quite revealing; that is the entire scheme, isn't it? And I am slightly bemused that one of the benefits is reduced HGVs, since there don't seem to have been any specific HGV measures included (am I missing something here?), unless of course you count the economic effect of increased congestion, and hauliers' decisions to re-route on the back of it.

I apologise if the preceding remarks seem to be quite cynical. I am sincere in my thanks for your efforts in supplying the information you did. I can only qualify my apology with the comment that I am one of the poor souls that a) has to pay for said scheme, and b) has to try to negotiate it by foot, car, cycle and bus on a daily basis. Please try to remember that those of us wanting to comment are trying to improve the situation, even though we may lack the glossy brochures and weasel words of the PR

department.

Yours

Martin Wiesner

Answer

Mr Wiesner

It was recognised that St Albans Road has a bypass in the A4008 Stephenson Way (the M1 Link Road). It was with this in mind that designs for reallocating roadspace in favour of buses and cycles was looked onto all those years ago. Although there are not, as you say, specific 'anti HGV'measures, the very act of taking away roadspace was seen as being sufficient to deter through traffic of all classes. And this has, of course, been proved right.

Nick Gough

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