I’m looking at a sign plastered on the back of the bus stop where I’m stood. To be frank it’s not the first time I’ve seen this message. I’d hazard a guess there’s a similar poster plastered at most bus stops in and around the town. There under the council coat of arms are the words ‘Watford Borough Council is committed to reducing congestion and carbon emissions in the town’.

This is inspiring stuff. How might this be achieved and what measures does the council have in mind to reduce congestion and the chronic air pollution - problems which go hand in hand? Might there be rebates in business rates for firms who employ local labour, using staff who walk to work? For the ‘distance is no object’ ideology is a false premise that needs reform.

Once upon a time, in the days before the dirty filthy polluting internal combustion engine came on the scene, Watford was a densely packed town designed to enable local jobs for local people, a slogan drummed out by Gordon Brown. The town’s topology hasn’t changed and still lends itself to a car-free lifestyle. Yet on any day ending in a ‘y’ it is still ravaged with rip-roaring vehicles.

Will prospective cyclists be tempted by the allure of free hire of electric bikes and offers to try them out in the town? How about electric car charging points? Will there be maps or literature available for the public?

Glancing at the poster, the next line implored the reader to ‘Visit: www.watfordcommuter.org’, which I did. ‘Unable to locate remote server’ reverted my browser. In other words, the website does not or no longer exists. Say no more.

Dave Degen

Whippendell Road, Watford