"We will judge any proposals for major
traffic schemes on the basis of whether they will relieve traffic
congestion and improve alternatives to the private car or whether they
will make things worse."
Two years on, let's see how they did
The Ring Road
Liberal Democrats plans have gridlocked Watford. And when it all goes wrong
they just blame County Hall. Traffic lights outside Watford
Junction have to be switched off to improve traffic flow.
The Green Route
Liberal Democrats were warned that the route had failed three years ago.
Liberals can't see the mess that they themselves create.
"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."
Hendon and Finchley Times October 29, 2001
"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."
Hendon and Finchley Times October 29,
2001
The Liberal Democrats hate asking people what their views are, ordinary
people always give the wrong answer. Because of this the Liberal
Democrats at Watford Town Hall actually believe that people like the
Green Route, so much so they actually want to make it bigger! I'm sorry,
I'm going to have repeat that just to make sure I said it right. It is
there official policy
to extend the Green Route across Watford!?!!!
Gas Works on the St Albans Road (starting May 24th 2004 for 20
weeks)
Liberal Democrat controlled Watford
Town Hall website listed nothing about this event until just days
before
Watford Lib Dem party website lists nothing about this event
Hertfordshire County Council (Conservative run but with one Liberal
Democrat on the Cabinet Transport Panel) website suggests "possible traffic diversions"
Transco (gas company) website details 20
weeks of lane closures and traffic disruption
By keeping this secret from the
public, are the Liberal Democrats likely to make the inevitable
disruption better or worse?
Severe Disrution to Silverlink train
services (starting May 24th for five weeks)
Failure by Liberal Democrats to
instigate any kind of transport planning locally means that Silverlink
trains will be subject to severe disruption on the same day that gas works start on
Watford's most congested thoroughfare.
And yes the list goes on
Watford Junction is subject to an
ongoing taxi
driver's protest. New arrangements to allow
minicabs to
pick-up from the forecourt, licensed by Liberal Democrat controlled
Watford Town Hall, were "branded a disgrace" because they failed to take
into account the needs of disabled passengers.
Liberal Democrats have so far failed to secure crucial funding to enable the Croxley Rail Link.
The Croxley HGV & Bus only link has also failed to materialise.
Back in 1997 £350,000 was set aside to create this
transport link by 2003. To date: nothing. A public meeting is to
be held for Three Rivers District Council on May 25th, 2004, because a
tiny part of the scheme falls within this authority. Three Rivers
Liberal Democrat Chris Lloyd says "The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the
implications of the proposed development. The public need to know about
it. We want people to come we need to know their views and concerns."
Its a shame he doesn't talk to Liberal Democrats in Watford, who would
prefer that members of the public did not know what the plans were.
This scheme has never before been open to any public discussion here,
yet most of
it will be located in Holywell, Watford and will have implications for
the residents of West Watford. Herts County Council have abrogated
their own responsibility for this scheme to private firm Mouchel, who
say "Everyone locally was pretty happy about it when we asked them five years ago."
The scheme is part of the West Watford Transport Plan, where you can
read "The vision reflects Hertfordshire County Council and Watford
Council's policies towards the need for development of more sustainable
place" and "Local people are involved in bringing about change." How
they can hope to achieve this is a complete mystery since there are no
plans to discuss this scheme in Watford at all.
But don't worry...
Liberal Democrat controlled Watford
Borough Council do have plans for a massive car parking scheme at Watford Junction.
"1.1.2 The project initially stems from the desire of Virgin Rail to
enhance the efficiency of passenger facilities at the station and
specifically to increase
passenger car parking."
Watford Junction Brief Draft document
That's right, the Liberals Democrats are encouraging a regional train
company to
bring more cars into Watford.
Don't forget that Virgin trains stop at Watford Junction, but do not
allow local commuters on them. For a document which is 52 pages long,
it seems incredible that it contains no mention that almost the entire
site lies within Callowland, Hertfordshire's most densly populated
ward. They said that one of their objectives was:
"• To ensure the development does not exceed the capacity of the local
infrastructure or the desires of local residents and businesses."
Watford Junction Brief Draft document
Most damning of all is:
"Phase 7 - By 2010. Regional Eurostar services available at Watford
Junction, via Kensington Olympia, to Paris and Brussels. This may
include rebuilding Platform 10 or services could use existing platforms
if other services are reduced to
make way for Eurostar services."
Watford Junction Brief Draft document
Incredibly, Liberal Democrats are supporting a plan to encourage
passengers from all over the South East to drive into the most
congested
part of Watford, to board international rail services, at the expense
of local rail passengers.
Can we trust their judgement?
"We will judge any proposals for major
traffic schemes on the basis of whether they will relieve traffic
congestion and improve alternatives to the private car or whether they
will make things worse."
Liberal Democrat Watford Mayor's
Manifesto 2002
We need an
alternative!
It's important to the greens to try to
engage the views of local people in decision making. When your family,
friends and neighbours all say that there is a problem with transport,
that is the time to try use the ideas and suggestions to make thing
better. The Green Party trys to
promote solutions which are accessible; open to all,
especially people
who live locally; sustainable with a minimum impact
on the environment;
doesn't degrade community life with inappropriate methods and where the
mode of transport is both safe and healthy.
If you would like to see how the
Green
Party nationally discusses
transport: click here
Watford Green Party
launched is transport campaign: click here
Some of our discussion locally have throw up issues surronding safety
of bus
lanes and even some in favour of such solutions as trolley buses.
As ever the county Herts Direct website is a good source of safety information. For a contact about pavement
safety, see here. Whatever your view, its
important to Green Party that
you are given a voice and allowed to take part in the debate. When
elected, Green Party
politicians try to encourage discussion and debate, and as much local
participation as possible.
