The Environment, Transport and Growth Cabinet Panel met to discuss a range of issues, including cycling and walking infrastructure, bus service improvements, local transport planning, and sustainability initiatives. The panel endorsed the Three Rivers Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan, noted the progress of the Interlink Enhanced Partnership review, endorsed the timetable and draft vision for the new Local Transport Plan, and noted the Sustainability Progress Report. The panel also discussed a proposal from Transport for London to take over the Moorgate routes, and agreed to circulate a draft letter to the Secretary of State regarding the proposal.

Three Rivers Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

The panel endorsed the adoption of the Three Rivers Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) by the cabinet, following a presentation and discussion of the plan and its consultation outcomes. The LCWIP identifies key walking and cycling networks and infrastructure changes needed to encourage active travel in the Three Rivers District. Sue Jackson, Group Manager Transport, explained that having an LCWIP in place is important for accessing funding from Active Travel England and securing contributions from developers through Section 106 agreements¹. The plan focuses on larger settlements like Rickmansworth, Maple Cross and Chorleywood, with five key cycle routes identified. Local members raised concerns and objections to specific aspects of the plan:

• Councillor Paula Hiscocks, representing Rickmansworth West, expressed concerns about the steep hills in the area, the safety of routes for schoolchildren, and the potential impact on traffic congestion. She stated she was against the specific LCWIP in her division, but not against LCWIPs in general.
• Councillor Vishal Patel raised concerns about the lack of data on why walking and cycling are declining, the weak consultation, and the lack of secured funding for implementation. He questioned the prioritisation of routes and suggested focusing on Rickmansworth town centre instead of Carpenter's Park.

In response, Sue Jackson clarified that the LCWIP is the start of the design journey, and detailed design would be picked up at the next stage of project validation. She also noted that the focus on Carpenter's Park was led by Three Rivers District officers due to existing initiatives in Rickmansworth town centre.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst OBE supported the adoption of the document, highlighting that it had been endorsed by Three Rivers District Council and is necessary to lever in additional funding. He also mentioned the success of electric barrel bikes in Croxley and the potential for wayfinding schemes to encourage walking.

Other panel members also voiced their support for the plan:

• Councillor Eric Buckmaster emphasised the importance of the process and the need for local members to input into the design details to ensure the best return on investment.
• Councillor Adrian England spoke about the transformational impact of electric bikes and the need to create more road room for those who have no choice but to drive.
• Councillor Alistair Willoughby highlighted the need to consider street lighting to ensure people feel safe walking and cycling, particularly at night.

The panel unanimously agreed to recommend to Cabinet that it reviews and comments on the final executive summary and the Three Rivers LCWIP, and approves the changes made as a result of the public consultation.

Interlink Enhanced Partnership Review Update

The panel noted a report providing an update on the Interlink Enhanced Partnership (IEP) review and the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP) schemes. Alice Missler, Passenger Transport Manager, explained that the IEP provides a framework of mutual accountability between Hertfordshire County Council and local bus operators, ensuring collaborative efforts to improve bus services. The review is underway, with Scheme 2 scheduled for adoption in July 2026, and a public consultation on the draft Scheme 2 is due to be published next month.

Councillor Nigel Taylor asked about the impact of bus franchising on the Enhanced Partnership and the Bus Service Improvement Plan. Alice Missler responded that a franchising pilot is being reviewed in North Herts, East Herts and Stevenage, and that Scheme 2 includes a stipulation about a variation to the scheme should franchising transpire.

Councillor Eric Buckmaster expressed the importance of the Hearts Links service and asked about how the franchising element might be funded. It was explained that the funded work is to work out what that looks like and work it out in detail what that looks like.

Councillor Alistair Willoughby raised concerns about a potential two-tier model where some areas have really good bus services while others only have routes that make money. He suggested that bus companies should run routes that are people-led, not just profit-led.

Councillor Mark Pope urged the council to do all it can to secure Hearts Links' future in the longer term.

The panel agreed to note the content of the report and that a subsequent paper detailing the proposed targets for Scheme 2 will be brought forward for agreement.

Local Transport Plan

The panel endorsed the timetable and draft vision and objectives for the new Local Transport Plan (LTP), which sets out the county council's overall direction and aspirations for transport. Trevor Mason, Team Leader, Strategic Transport and Rail, introduced the item, explaining that the LTP provides the framework for all transport activities and is an important document for the county to have. The timetable sets out a spring 2027 date for final adoption.

Councillor Nigel Taylor requested that a lot of focus is put on how to make sure that when local plans and infrastructure are planned, that transport is viable and in particular that non-car transport is focused on.

Councillor Stuart Roberts described the draft vision and objectives as excellent and sensible. He asked for clarification on the term people who wheel , which was confirmed to include scooter users and people with mobility impairments who are not technically walking.

Councillor Ruth Brown welcomed the opportunity to develop the vision and framework to try and do some modal shift, and welcomed the ambitious nature of the vision.

Councillor Alistair Willoughby agreed that the document needs to be ambitious and accessible.

The panel endorsed the timetable for developing the new LTP and the draft vision and objectives for the new LTP to allow public and key stakeholder engagement.

Sustainability Progress Report

The panel noted the Sustainability Progress Report, which provided an update on the progress made relating to sustainability across the whole of the organisation and beyond. Julie Greaves, Head of Sustainability, presented the report, highlighting the organisation's bronze accreditation for being carbon literate, funding secured for solar carports and battery storage, the Your Tree Our Future initiative, and the public consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy.

Councillor Adrian England welcomed the report and emphasised that sustainable Hertfordshire is everywhere and in everything that the council does. He also highlighted the council's membership of UK 100 and the importance of resource efficiency.

Councillor Eric Buckmaster expressed his support for the work going on and the need to do more regular reviews. He also emphasised the importance of engaging with residents and ensuring that everyone is sending out the same message.

Councillor Alistair Willoughby suggested including no idling zones outside of schools in the cleaner air initiatives.

Councillor Ruth Brown welcomed the report and Adrian England's commitment to the sustainability agenda. She also provided an update on a funding application that has been approved for a county wide property flood resilience scheme.

Councillor Matt Fisher asked about climate score cards, e-bike storage and charging facilities, and the anti-idling campaign.

The panel noted the progress made and commented on the content of the report.

Transport for London Proposal to Take Over Moorgate Routes

Under Other Part I Business , Councillor Nigel Taylor raised concerns about a proposal from Transport for London (TfL) to take over the operation of railway lines on the East Coast Main Line and the Hertford Loop Line, specifically the services going into Moorgate. He expressed concerns that TfL would prioritise the needs of greater London over Hertfordshire, and that transport authorities often fail on their borders.

Councillor Paul Zukowskyj responded that he was aware of the proposal and that there are some significant advantages, including an uplift in service levels and investment plans for stations. However, there are also issues and potential risks.

Trevor Mason provided further details, explaining that the proposal involves the all-stopping services from Welwyn Garden City and Stevenage via Hertford North into Moorgate. He noted that TfL is proposing to increase off-peak frequencies to four trains per hour, but that the Hertford North to Stevenage section would remain at two trains per hour. He said that the council's draft letter to the Secretary of State is broadly supportive in principle, but with caveats around governance and investment in Hertfordshire.

Councillor Ruth Brown welcomed the approach but shared concerns about the risks and requested sight of the draft letter. The panel agreed to circulate the draft letter, with the proviso that there is a tight timeframe for responding to the Secretary of State.