Cabinet received a report of the Senior Democratic Services Officer which included the final report from the Sustainable Transport Strategy Task Group.

Councillor Stotesbury thanked Councillor Grimston and the task group for their work, supported by officers.  There had been a lot of work carried out.  It had been really helpful to have the strategy scrutinised and useful feedback had been provided.  He advised that the strategy had also been endorsed by the county council.

The Mayor invited Councillor Grimston, Chair of the task group, to speak.  Councillor Grimston commented that the strategy was a significant document for the council for the next 20 years.  The task group had provided an opportunity for councillors to feed in to its development.  She outlined the recommendations shown in the report.  It was important to prioritise the reduction in short journeys taken by car.  It suggested the expansion of existing schemes, for example the bike share, allowing it to extend across the council’s boundaries.  There needed to be engagement with the county council.  It was necessary to find alternative modes of transports for those areas that currently had no public bus routes, for example Tolpits Lane.  The recommendations had been approved the recommendations and recognised there was a pressing need for infrastructure.

Councillor Bell commented that he had found it an interesting report and thanked Councillor Grimston and the task group for their work.  He agreed with the comments about public transport facilities to Tolpits Lane, it was very necessary.  Currently there was a bus service to Watford Business Park and Croxley Park, but one was also needed for the Tolpits Lane business area.

Councillor Watkin supported the recommendations but was concerned about the increased bike usage without the proper cycle routes being in place.  It would be necessary to put pressure on the county council to get this done.

The Mayor advised that he had noticed increased engagement by the county council with regard to sustainable transport.

Councillor Stotesbury confirmed he had regular meetings with county representatives.  Watford Borough Council was working outside of its remit to push for transport.  It had been good to get both authorities involved in the strategy and for it to be signed off.  The strategy provided a common baseline to work from.

Councillor Grimston finished by adding that the task group had been strongly of the opinion that investment was needed now.

RESOLVED –

that Cabinet approves the task group’s recommendations:

1.         The priority for the implementation of the strategy should be to reduce the number of short trips (under 2 miles) that are driven in Watford. This should be a determining factor in how actions contained in the strategy are prioritised.

2.         In recognition of the close geographical relationships with neighbouring districts, ongoing partnership work should continue to be developed with areas that border Watford.

3.         To build on the popularity of the bike share scheme, the council should explore with neighbouring authorities and other stakeholders how the scheme could be expanded beyond the borough’s boundaries.

4.         In considering whether there are any areas in Watford that would benefit from becoming a low-traffic neighbourhood, the highest priority should be working with and listening to residents and local stakeholders. Low traffic neighbourhoods could be considered if they have extensive community support designed to address a defined local issue.

5.         The strategy, or associated documentation, should include a target to have a travel plan in place for every school in the borough and proactively work with schools and Hertfordshire County Council to achieve this.

6.         Further work should be undertaken with local businesses and other stakeholders to improve transport links to employment areas that are not easily reached without a car to consider how access could be improved.

7.         Recognising that accepting the need for wider change is different to making personal behavioural change, further work is needed to consider how to grow confidence in the alternatives to travelling by car.