The Environment, Transport & Growth Cabinet Panel met on Thursday 16 April 2026 to discuss the Dacorum Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) and the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy Work Plan. The panel endorsed the adoption of the Dacorum LCWIP and recommended its approval by Cabinet, and also recommended the approval of the Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan.

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 changes to improve them. The plan focuses on the largest settlements of Hemel Hempstead, Tring, and Berkhamsted, aiming to encourage modal shift towards active travel.

Following extensive public consultation, which received over 400 responses, several amendments were made to the LCWIP. Key themes from the consultation included requests for additional crossing improvements, particularly on the A414 in Hemel Hempstead, and along Gravel Path in Berkhamsted. Concerns were also raised about traffic speed and safety, particularly near schools.

The panel discussed the prioritisation of routes based on factors such as potential for increased trips, alignment with strategic objectives, and technical feasibility. The top-priority routes identified include Adeyfield Road in Hemel Hempstead, Chesham Road in Berkhamsted, and London Road (Tring to Hemel Hempstead).

The panel unanimously agreed to recommend the adoption of the Dacorum LCWIP by Cabinet, with minor amendments to address specific location and description issues raised during the consultation.

Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy Principles – Work Plan

The panel also received an update on the Sustainable Hertfordshire Strategy and its associated Work Plan. The strategy aims to embed sustainability across all council operations and services, with the Work Plan outlining key focus areas for the Sustainable Hertfordshire team and wider organisation.

The five key project areas for the Work Plan are:

• Embedding the Sustainable Hertfordshire Principles: This involves integrating sustainability into everyday decision-making and service design across the council. A new tool, SEEDS (Sustainability, Equality and Environmental Decision Support), is being introduced to aid this process.
• Nature-Based Solutions: This area focuses on projects such as river restoration, sustainable drainage systems, and flood alleviation, working in partnership with the Local Nature Recovery Partnership.
• Tree Planting: Building on the 'Your Tree Our Future' initiative, there is an ambition to plant or enable the planting of 150,000 trees by 2026-27.
• Healthier Air Quality: An additional £350,000 in capital funding will be used for projects related to air quality monitoring, purification, and education, including providing air purifiers for schools.
• Pathfinder Projects: These projects will be funded through the Sustainable Hertfordshire Central Fund, with examples including EV infrastructure rollout and solar carport construction.

Members discussed the importance of this work being a collective effort across the entire council, not just the dedicated sustainability team. The cross-party nature of the strategy and the involvement of various directorates were highlighted. Concerns were raised about the long-term maintenance of tree planting projects and the need for a holistic approach to environmental improvements. The panel also discussed the potential for monetising environmental benefits to justify investment.

The panel recommended the approval of the Sustainable Hertfordshire Work Plan to Cabinet.

Hertfordshire 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 to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 65% 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 safer roads, road users, vehicles, speeds, and post-crash response, with an emphasis on community involvement.

Key proposed changes include modifying the HAZDA sites process to a route-based approach and replicating the national strategy's recommendation for a road safety investigation branch. There will be a focus on the Fatal Four – alcohol/drug impairment, speed, distraction, and seatbelt use – through education, enforcement, and engagement.

The panel was asked to endorse the strategy for public consultation. Discussions highlighted the importance of balancing rural and urban road safety, the need for clear interventions, and the challenges of data collection, particularly regarding near misses and damage-only collisions. Concerns were also raised about the effectiveness of current data collection methods and the need for more proactive measures.

The panel recommended that the draft Road Safety Strategy be put out for public consultation.

Bus Reform & Franchising Pilot and Statutory Franchising Assessment

Alice Missler, Passenger Transport Manager, presented an update on Hertfordshire's participation in the Department for Transport's (DfT) Bus Reform and Franchising Pilot Programme. 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, service levels, and performance standards, then contract operators to run the services. Emerging findings suggest North and East Hertfordshire, including Stevenage, is the most suitable location for a pilot due to persistent challenges with service viability, low frequencies, and limited competition.

The council is developing a 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, statutory public consultation, and a formal decision by the authority. The DfT has indicated that additional funding may be available to support this next stage.

The panel noted the progress of the pre-assessment work and supported HCC progressing to a statutory franchising assessment. They also approved the Director of Transport for Hertfordshire's delegated authority to submit a funding application to the DfT for this purpose.