A consultation on Hertfordshire County Council’s draft bus strategy and interlink strategy, which sets out spending on bus services, is currently being undertaken.  The strategy determines how the council will work with commercial bus operators and how they will prioritise the limited amount of money available.

Local Liberal Democrat County Councillor Allan Siao Ming Witherick, said: “Public transport provides a life line for man and in these difficult economic times it’s even more important, and that’s before we consider any environmental benefits.”

The draft bus strategy has been written to comply with national regulations, the county council’s transport policies and to fit within the limited resources available.

Heather Teare said: “Residents in Marshalswick South are already upset about reductions to the S7 route which served many locally.  We need people to complete the consultation so that the County Council can see how valuable these bus routes are to us.”

The consultation will be available to respond to online at www.hertsdirect.org/passengertransportor you can call the council on 0300 123 4050 to request a paper copy.

Also accompanying these 2 strategies is a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Environmental Report.  This is an assessment which has considered the environmental and social/economic implications of delivering the Bus and Intalink Strategies.

We are keen to receive your views on all 3 of these documents, therefore, to view and comment on the draft Bus Strategy, Intalink Strategy and SEA report, please go to the following web link: www.hertsdirect.org/ltp.

Alternatively, hard copies of these documents are also available on request, and full copies will be available for reference at all Hertfordshire libraries (with electronic access to the document available on library computers), and at Front Reception, County Hall.

You can complete an online questionnaire at www.hertsdirect.org/ltp, or alternatively please send your comments via e-mail to [email protected] or write to:

LTP3 Comments, Hertfordshire County Council, Transportation Planning & Policy, CHN205 County Hall, Pegs Lane, Hertford, SG13 8DN.

Residents have until June 6 to respond.

A separate consultation on school bus provision will be run in the summer term.