The Environment, Transport and Growth Cabinet Panel met on Thursday, 16 April 2026, to discuss and endorse the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan. The panel also reviewed the draft Road Safety Strategy, agreeing to move forward with public consultation for it. Discussions also covered the Bus Reform & Franchising Pilot, with the panel supporting progression to a statutory franchising assessment and the submission of a funding application.

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 across the district with the greatest potential for improvement. Following extensive public consultation, which received over 400 responses, several amendments were made to the plan. These included additional crossing points, route extensions, and traffic calming measures, particularly in response to feedback concerning safety and connectivity. The LCWIP focuses on the larger settlements of Hemel Hempstead, Berkhamstead, and Tring, aiming to encourage modal shift away from car use. Councillors expressed strong support for the plan, acknowledging its importance in securing future funding and developer contributions for active travel schemes, especially in light of the Hemel Garden Communities programme. The panel reviewed the plan and recommended its adoption by Cabinet.

Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan

The panel reviewed the Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan, which outlines the key focus areas for delivering the refreshed Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy and its guiding principles. The work plan covers five key areas: embedding sustainability principles across the organisation, nature-based solutions, tree planting, improving air quality, and supporting pathfinder projects with the Sustainable Hertfordshire Central Fund. Councillors engaged in a detailed discussion about the interconnectedness of these areas, highlighting the importance of partnership working, community involvement, and the need for tangible outcomes. The panel recommended the work plan to Cabinet for approval.

Hertfordshire's Road Safety Partnership's Road Safety Strategy

A draft Road Safety Strategy was presented, developed in partnership with various agencies including Hertfordshire Police, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and National Highways. The strategy aligns with national targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% by 2035, with a 70% reduction for children under 16. It adopts a Safe System Approach, acknowledging human error and aiming to create a forgiving environment. The strategy proposes a vision of Towards Zero: Creating Safer, Healthier Places for Everyone in Hertfordshire. Significant discussion ensued regarding the balance between data-driven decision-making and community concerns about safety, particularly in relation to near misses and unadopted roads. The panel agreed to recommend the draft strategy for 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 pre-assessment work suggests that North and East Hertfordshire, including Stevenage, would be the most suitable area for a bus franchising pilot. This model would allow the council to specify routes, fares, and service levels, and contract operators. The panel was informed that additional DfT funding is available for authorities to undertake a full Statutory Franchising Assessment, a more rigorous legal process. The panel supported, in principle, HCC progressing to the statutory franchising assessment stage and approved the submission of a funding application to the DfT to support this assessment.

The meeting also included the confirmation of previous minutes and noted the absence of public petitions.