Hertford’s rivers their flood threats and environmental issues
by Ian Davis
Spring 2022 HCS Newsletter
RECENT PLANNING NEWS
Update on Rapid Transit (HERT)
HERT is described as a “new, sustainable passenger transport network” running from Hemel Hempstead and West Watford (joining just south of St Albans) to Harlow and onwards to Stansted Airport. Full details are available on the County Council web site.
From November 2021 to January 2022 Hertfordshire County Council carried out a period of public engagement to ask for feedback on:
- the principles of the HERT, including the vision of what the project is intended to achieve and key features
- the need for and benefits of the HERT
- current travel behaviours of people in Hertfordshire and West Essex and the possible trips that could be made using the HERT
- the towns and key transport inter-changes the HERT could serve within an east-west corridor from Hemel Hempstead and West Watford to Harlow.
Hertfordshire County Council officers are currently analysing the feedback received and intend to share the findings “later in Spring 2022”
Detailed technical studies and further public engagement will look at how the HERT will operate, the exact route it will take, and the type of vehicles it will use. These elements were not included in the recent public engagement.
Contributing to the public engagement the Civic Society noted a report that “technical work … would include further consideration as to whether a Hertford Bypass is required to enable the HERT to travel through the Hertford area”. Although the type of vehicle has not been determined a presumption that the vehicle will be rubber tyred appears to be governing the potential location of HERT on existing roads (primarily Gascoyne Way, Hertford) involving some reduction of existing capacity for car use. The Civic Society suggested that other routes round Hertford could be developed without compromising existing traffic capacity and recommended further exploration of these options.
In May 2021 Civic Society members received presentations from the East Herts Council about the Hertford Theatre Redevelopment.HERTFORD THEATRE REDEVELOPMENT NEWS
A video recording of those presentations can be accessed from HERE ……
Cllr Eric Buckmaster, Executive Member for Wellbeing at East Herts Council is reported (December 2021) to have said: "the current financial climate, and supply chain issues being experienced in the construction sector, have meant the process of sourcing a contractor is taking longer than expected.”
In February 2022 East Herts tweeted:
“Responses to tender invitation have been received. There now follows an evaluation and moderation process. Subject to the evaluation outcome and approval process, a decision on award of contract is scheduled to be made in early March.”The Theatre are currently saying “We are due to re-open late 2023.”
DO YOU CARE ABOUT HERTFORD?
Hertford Civic Society is a charity which has since 1969 acted as a focus for residents interested in shaping the future of the town.
Click here to find out more about us.
Cross-county tramway meets objectives of Hertfordshire's A414 Corridor Strategy
Sustainable travel at the heart of Hertfordshire
click here to view Tramways video
Herts Orbital Transit proposal by HCS can cut County's carbon footprint
to view click here
Trams are highly efficient public transport. Trams are electric, so emit no fumes. On May 1st 2019 MP's declared a climate change emergency. HCC has also done so. How will the county change its strategy?
Trams are fast reliable comfortable
Easy and attractive travel.
Trams avoid road congestion with their own routes and priority at road junctions. .
Trams make places attractive for people
Routes through town centres. Integrated with local buses. Links to where most people want to go.
Trams reduce car journeys and road traffic
Trams change travel habits. Because trams are attractive and reliable, car use drops dramatically and so does road traffic. Air quality improves.
Leave a message for Reg Harman, our tram expert in the video above, to learn more about trams or Herts Orbital Transit at email: reg.harman@ntlworld.com
Unveiling of Plaques for Building Excellence
Carlton Court
Social housing in Sele Farm was variously described as “visionary” and “transformational” at the unveiling of plaques to mark Hertford Civic Society’s occasional awards for the town’s best new buildings.
19th Oct 2021
Bircherley Green Go Ahead
Chase New Homes Ltd Marketing
Previous Zoom lecture videos
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