The Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel met on Thursday, 16 April 2026, to discuss and endorse the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). The panel also reviewed the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy Work Plan and received an update on Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership Strategy, ultimately recommending it proceed to public consultation. Finally, the panel supported Hertfordshire County Council's progression to a statutory franchising assessment for bus services and approved the submission of a funding application to the Department for Transport for this purpose.

Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP)

The panel was presented with the completed Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which identifies key walking and cycling routes within the district and proposes infrastructure improvements. The plan, developed in partnership with Dacorum Borough Council, focuses on the largest settlements of Hemel Hempstead, Tring, and Berkhamsted, areas identified as having the greatest potential for increased active travel.

Following public consultation, which received over 400 responses, several amendments were made to the plan. Key themes from the consultation included requests for additional crossing improvements, particularly near schools and along busy roads like the A414, and support for traffic calming measures. Concerns were also raised about the Dutch-style roundabout in Maylands and the maintenance of existing infrastructure.

The panel heard that the LCWIP aims to align with national strategies and will be crucial for securing funding from Active Travel England. It will also help in negotiating developer contributions for active travel infrastructure, particularly in light of proposed growth in the Hemel Garden Communities.

Several councillors spoke in support of the LCWIP, highlighting its potential to improve safety, encourage sustainable transport, and enhance the quality of life for residents. Concerns were raised about the potential impact of some proposals on traffic congestion and the need for robust maintenance of new infrastructure.

The panel agreed to recommend the adoption of the Dacorum LCWIP by Cabinet, with minor amendments to address specific road location and description issues raised by Councillor Nigel Taylor.

Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy and Principles – Work Plan

The panel received an update on the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy and its associated Work Plan for 2026/27. The strategy, refreshed to align with the Corporate Plan, introduces eight guiding principles for embedding sustainability across all council operations. These principles, which can be remembered by key words starting with R , cover resource efficiency, climate change resilience, nature recovery, healthier air quality, responsible decision-making, equitable outcomes, working with residents, and monitoring progress.

The Work Plan outlines five key focus areas for the Sustainable Hertfordshire Team: embedding the principles across the organisation, nature-based solutions, tree planting, healthier air quality, and supporting pathfinder projects with the Sustainable Hertfordshire Central Fund. The panel was assured that while the strategy itself does not create new legal obligations, the principles will guide future decision-making.

Councillors expressed strong support for the integrated approach, emphasizing that sustainability is a shared responsibility. Concerns were raised about the potential for competing priorities, such as housing development, to conflict with sustainability goals, but the SEEDS (Sustainability, Equality and Environmental Decision Support) tool was highlighted as a means to weigh these considerations. The timeline for embedding these principles, with full implementation by the end of 2028, was discussed, and officers confirmed that initial changes were already underway.

Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's Road Safety Strategy

The panel was presented with the draft Road Safety Strategy, developed in partnership with various agencies including Hertfordshire Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, and the Fire Service. The strategy aligns with the national road safety targets, aiming for a 65% reduction in deaths and serious injuries by 2035, with a 70% reduction for children under 16.

The strategy adopts a Safe System Approach, acknowledging that human error is inevitable and focusing on creating a system that minimizes harm. This includes safe roads and places, safe road users, safe vehicles, safe speeds, and post-crash response, with an added emphasis on community involvement.

Councillors raised important points regarding the balance between rural and urban safety measures, the need to consider growth areas and their impact on road usage, and the limitations of relying solely on historical collision data. Concerns were also voiced about the collection and use of data, including near misses and damage-only incidents, and the challenges of prioritizing limited resources. The strategy aims to address these by incorporating community feedback through Transport Voice and adopting a more nuanced, route-based approach to safety assessments.

The panel unanimously recommended that the draft Road Safety Strategy proceed to public consultation.

Bus Reform & Franchising Pilot and Statutory Franchising Assessment

Hertfordshire County Council's participation in the Department for Transport's Bus Reform and Franchising Pilot Programme was discussed. The pilot aims to explore how bus franchising powers, introduced by the Buses Act 2025, could work in non-metropolitan and rural areas. Under a franchise model, the council would specify routes, fares, and service levels, then contract operators.

Emerging findings suggest North and East Hertfordshire, including Stevenage, as the most suitable location for a pilot due to persistent challenges with service viability, low frequencies, and limited competition. The council is developing a Franchising Pre-Assessment Business Case and is seeking support in principle to progress to a full Statutory Franchising Assessment. This more rigorous process involves a comprehensive assessment, independent audit, and statutory public consultation.

The panel was informed that additional DfT funding could be available to support this statutory stage. Councillors expressed support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for reliable services, reasonable fares, and effective communication to encourage bus usage. Concerns were raised about the cost of electrifying bus fleets and the necessary infrastructure upgrades, as well as the importance of providing information at bus stops for those less reliant on technology. The panel ultimately supported the progression to the statutory assessment stage and approved the submission of a funding application to the DfT.