1 December 2016

Hertfordshire County Council have released a report for public consultation entitled "Transport Vision 2050". (Find the full report here)

Hertfordshire County Council said: “We want to hear your views on the future of transport in our county, in advance of preparing our full strategy in 2017.“

It is the Hertfordshire Green Party’s view that Hertfordshire County Council’s Transport Vision 2050 sets out some encouraging policy ideas about the future of travel in Hertfordshire. However, there is a disconnection between what the Council is saying and what they are planning to do. 

It is important that as many people as possible respond to the consultation to ensure the weight and variety of our concerns is represented and to persuade the Council to commit to a sustainable future. 

Emma Brading of Three Rivers Green Party, said: “In some areas I was impressed with the insight and vision. But in others I was disappointed by the lack of innovative and deliverable solutions being proposed. Bearing in mind that this is a vision for the next few decades I think there is scope to be much more progressive.”

Keith Cotton of St Albans Green Party said: “We must see safe cycling provision with clearly visible access routes – no more confusing and dangerous half solutions! The East to West integrated public transport needs much improvement, whilst also looking at the emission profile of buses. Improving air quality is a problem which is only going to get worse. Pedestrian areas need protection from busy roads and restricting deliveries would help lower the exposure to dangerous levels of air pollution.”

As identified in the consultation document: “the last 15 years have shown us that it is not enough to simply invest in sustainable transport infrastructure, as despite the short distances of many local journeys we have not seen a noticeable shift from car use to walking, cycling and public transport”. This is why the Council must look at opportunities for behaviour change more seriously. This could be in the from of workplace incentives - working from home or encouraging “flexi-time” to reduce congestion at peak hours - creating opportunities for car clubs and smart technologies to be accessible as soon as possible, as well as restrictions for heavy good vehicles and single occupancy cars. These kind of policies do not come with the same price tags as huge infrastructure projects and at the same time are at the centre of addressing travel behaviour patterns. If we, as a county and beyond, are serious about tackling congestion, air pollution and other problems associated with population growth, more drastic measures need to be taken.

The consultation is open to the public until 14th December 2016.
To read the full document and fill in the consultation survey go to the Herts County Council website:
http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/your-council/consult/transportconsult/TV2050/