09 May 2023
As the battle against a controversial rail freight terminal on Green Belt land south of St Albans continues to rage, campaigners are calling for further public support before it is too late.
A series of public meetings have been organised to highlight the impact the scheme for the former Radlett airfield would have on local communities.
The first takes place at Vision Hall in Radlett on Sunday May 21 at 2pm, with another set for London Colney soon, and a protest demonstration ahead of a council meeting at County Hall in Hertford on May 23.
Aldenham Parish Council manager Peter Evans has joined the calls for a full review to re-assess the justification for the terminal because so much time has elapsed since planning was approved nearly ten years ago.
He told HCC: “The effects of this development will be felt, within the parish – especially Radlett – due to traffic movements from lorries servicing the terminal, and those working at the facility who may well be residents of Borehamwood who will access via the already congested roads of Radlett.
“Also, the neighbouring parish of St Stephens will be affected especially those in Park Street. Due to a lack of infrastructure within the vicinity (there is only the A414) there will a knock-on effect to residents of St Albans,
“Sandridge, Wheathampstead and Redbourn will also be affected by the disruption caused by the increase in vehicular traffic, especially when problems occur on the M25 and M1, which they do frequently. The estimate of the developers was that there would be a further 3,000 lorries every 24 operating in and out of the site, onto already overcrowded roads.”
Mr Evans continued: “The threat of this development has been hanging over the heads of the parish since 2006. Even then there were questions regarding the need for such a development. Surely, as so much time has lapsed since the decision was made by the Secretary of State there should be a strategic (excuse the pun) review.
“The developers have not, as yet, complied with their commitment to set up a consultative group with local councillors, residents and community groups. They have not made any provision for improvements to the Park Street, Harper Lane and London Colney roundabouts.
“An enormous amount of work to reconstruct and alter the rail links has to be carried out before any of the freight trains can use the lines, work which they do not, as far as we are aware, have permission for.”
Cllr Nuala Webb, one of the leaders of the Save St Albans: Stop the Freight campaign, added: “Legal advice consistently confirms that Herts CC do not have to sell the land if they can show the significant material changes since 2014 but they continue to ignore it.
“The aim of the public meetings is to explain the truth behind this and make sure people understand what is going on and what they can do to help stop the sale.”
Meanwhile, members of the campaign have accused Herts County Council of “total hypocrisy” by proposing to sell the Green Belt land while asking residents to apply for grants to plant new hedges and wildflower meadows.
Another of the group’s leaders, Terrie Smith, said: “This Green Belt land is home to all kinds of wildlife. If HCC really want to be seen as green and protectors of the environment they would stop the destruction of this open area and stop the sale to developers who want to build huge warehouses there. At the moment their stance is total hypocrisy.”
