The East Herts Green Party fully supports efforts by Hertfordshire County Council to expand and improve public transport, along with additional measures that make travelling by public transport more attractive to drivers than using their own cars. Hence we fully support the ambition of the HERT (Herts Essex Rapid Transport) project and improvements in public transport along the A414 corridor.
Balanced against this support, we make the following points:
- We want to see more investment in public transport and modal shift: despite claims that HCC fully backs modal shift and a switch to low carbon transportation, evidence suggests that HCC is not sufficiently supportive of this switch. For example, in 19/20 HCC spent just £1.72 per resident on contracted bus services versus a minimum of £3.50 for similar sized counties. And HCC Highways actions at new developments are limited to using S106 funds to create “Travel Plans”, and adding dropped kerbs – there is little evidence that these measures are effective in promoting modal shift. HCC needs to refocus its funding and efforts into fulfilling promises made in LTP4.
- We want to see new public transport services along the A414 corridor in advance of HERT: HCC projects that HERT will take at least a decade to construct. However there is a pressing need RIGHT NOW to start serious efforts at modal shift. Hence, progression with HERT must be accompanied by a wide-ranging programme of additional new bus transport along the A414 corridor that begins immediately. Without this action now, we will have to wait years, even once HERT is constructed sometime after 2032, to see significant modal shift since it takes time to change driver’s habits. HCC needs to get drivers switching to public transport along the A414 corridor as soon as possible, and well in advance of HERT. This is the only way to guarantee that HERT reduces vehicle traffic in the A414 corridor. HCC must also consider introducing road charging for vehicles to encourage modal shift, but this “stick” must be accompanied by a “carrot”: improved public transport.
- HERT can’t be used as an excuse for more concrete on our greenspaces. EHGP recognises that creating a suitable route for HERT will be challenging. We argue that it must link up, as closely as possible, with existing train/bus interchanges to create a properly integrated public transport network. But most importantly, HERT must NOT be used as an excuse for further road building which is unacceptable given tight budgets and the fact that HCC has declared a climate emergency. New roads always increase traffic and release far more carbon emissions than they save. Instead HCC must use innovative ideas to create the best route, and where extra road space is necessary such as in town centres, it should consider either lowering or raising the route for short distances above or below existing roads to eliminate unwanted impacts elsewhere.
- HERT itself must be sustainable. Diesel or petrol powered vehicles are not acceptable for HERT, and LPG or CNG should not be used since they still release highly damaging NOx. We want HERT to generate zero harmful emissions for Hertfordshire residents – either through the use of green hydrogen or grid electricity.
- HERT must be simple to use and access. HERT’s timetable and the real time position of its vehicles should be available to all residents via a website or app, or with screens at stops. It is vital that this information system also links with other public transport systems in real time so that passengers can make the most efficient use of this integrated transport system. There is no point letting passengers get off to use a railway if that railway is closed or trains are delayed. And clearly the system must be suitable for people with disabilities, and affordable for those on low incomes.
- HERT should spur further integrated transport ideas. HERT should be an opportunity to rethink the way the new urban areas it links provide transport to their residents. The new communities being planned along the A414 corridor should prioritise concepts such as the 15 minute neighbourhood as a way to reduce the need for longer journeys that require cars. There should be more integrated communities with employment, leisure, business, schools and health services provided locally. And HCC, along with the districts and boroughs that HERT passes through, must be more imaginative in the way it provides alternatives to cars – by offering or supporting e-bike hire, cargo bike delivery schemes and electric car clubs – and by linking HERT to further bike routes and quietways. Where possible, HERT should have a separated cycle route running in parallel.
