County council elections have a habit of passing by without comment
but this year’s contest has major implications for the future not only of St Albans district
The Liberal Democrats have been eyeing up County Hall for a power seize over the past few years
a strike sharpened by their success in recent elections across St Albans and Harpenden
But the impact of the Harpenden on-street parking charges became a campaign issue for the Conservatives in the town
who seemed convinced that they could win over floating voters and disillusioned Lib Dem supporters by challenging SADC’s handling of the scheme
At the election count at Batchwood Sports and Leisure Centre
Tories were saying they were hopeful the controversy would reflect in their performance
but for vacancies on Harpenden Town Council
The elections come in the week that SADC leader
at last promised a review of the parking scheme
but was this a case of too little too late to reverse the results
for the Harpenden North vacancy on the town council
with Kevin Timmons receiving 1,070 votes compared to 1,001 for Aaron Jacob
The other candidates were Tom Finnis (Independent) with 362
and Philip Wells (Reform UK) picking up 270 votes
The first county result called was for London Colney
a Labour stronghold on the district council
but won by Lib Dem Liz Needham with 965 votes
Runner-up with 741 votes was Labour’s Mike Hobday
followed by a strong showing from Reform UK’s Eleanor Jackson with 667 votes
Next was James Cook (Conservatives) with 478 votes and finally Green candidate Mark Park-Crowne with 164 votes
The Tories hoped to bounce back in Harpenden Rural
but her supporters’ initial joy was scuppered by Lib Dem Stuart Roberts polling 1,730
Other candidates were Lesley Baker (Green) with 324
The election in the county council division of Colney Heath and Marshalswick had made the national media after the St Albans Times broke the story of how mother and daughter Frances and Sally Leonard were standing for the Conservatives and Green Party respectfully
with Liberal Democrat John Hale polling 2,234 votes
In St Stephen’s division for HCC the Liberal Democrats again claimed victory
Second was Reform UK’s Craig Holliday with 1,089
followed by Stella Nash (Conservatives) with 954
and Gabriel Roberts (Green Party) with 183 votes
There was a glimmer of hope for the Conservatives with the result of the Harpenden Town Council ward for Harpenden West
which Milan Cvetkovic won with 1,355 votes
followed by Lib Dem Suheil Shahryar with 919 votes and Mario May (Green Party) with 329
This winning streak continued in the result for the county division of Harpenden South West
where Matt Cowley polled 2,365 compared to Lib Dem Edgar Hill’s 1,483
The other candidates were Stephen Bird (Reform UK) with 550
Ben Dearman (Labour) with 314 and Tanja Brueckmann-Rath (Green) with 282
the division was comfortably secured by long-term Lib Dem councillor Sandy Walkington with 2,555 votes
Graham Leonard (Conservatives) 499 and Juliet Voisey (Green) 385
the county division saw another Liberal Democrat victory
with former St Albans Mayor Anthony Rowlands receiving 2,344 votes
Conservative Richard Curthoys received 352 votes
Labour’s John Paton 249 and Green Party candidate Lucy Swift received 408 votes
St Albans North saw Liberal Democrat Helen Campbell comfortably hold onto the division with 2,080 votes
The rest of the results were evenly split between Don Deepthi (Conservatives) with 453
Livvy Gibbs (Green Party) 449 and Stewart Vassie (Reform UK) with 456
and Labour’s Sarah Heiser bringing up the rear with 256
For the county council vacancy of Harpenden Rural
the division saw sitting Lib Dem Alison Wren claim victory with 1,661 votes
followed by Conservative Ian Hawking with 1,172
Other candidates were Tom Chatfield (Labour) with 196
Philip Wells (Reform UK) with 939 and Olivery Hitch (Green Party) with 289
The two Harpenden Town Council vacancies in Harpenden South saw a decisive Conservative victory for both with John Drake and Samuel Spiri receiving 1,462 and 1,348 winning the ward
Lib Dems Zoe Hollowood and Nikolaus Rath received 791 and 708 votes each
The final result of the election was for the county division of St Albans Central
until last year the leader of St Albans district council
The ballot was so close that a full recount was called
In the end it was just six votes which decided
with Green Party candidate Matt Fisher securing 1,801 against 1,795 for the Lib Dems’ JoJo Godfrey
Mark Ewington from the Communist Party of Great Britain received 25 votes
and Ambrose Kille from the Conservatives 311
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There are ten county divisions in the district
and all county councillor seats were up for election
there were also by elections in the below areas.
• St Albans City & District Council (Redbourn ward) - 1 vacant seat• Harpenden Town Council (Harpenden North town ward) - 1 vacant seat• Harpenden Town Council (Harpenden South town ward) - 2 vacant seats• Harpenden Town Council (Harpenden West town ward) - 1 vacant seat
The results of the 1 May 2025 elections appear below.
Notices related to the 1 May 2025 elections appear below.
you will be sent a poll card which contains the address of your polling station
Polling stations may change depending on the election. In the run-up to an election, you can also find details of your polling station by using Democracy Club’s polling station finder
If you have any questions about this election, please take a look at the questions below and on our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ page. Information is also available on the Electoral Commission’s website
If you can’t find an answer to your question below
Email: elections@stalbans.gov.ukTelephone: 01727 819294
The Electoral Commission’s Candidate or agent pages contain comprehensive guidance for candidates.
Nomination packs for the Hertfordshire County Council elections will be available below to download
To assist with calculating candidate spending limits
the 1 March local government elector totals will be published below per county division.
Completed nomination papers can be submitted from Friday 21 March and must be received by no later than 4pm on Wednesday 2 April. Nomination papers must be delivered by hand to: the Deputy Returning Officer
Candidates are encouraged to submit their nomination papers for checking as early as possible so that there is time to correct any mistakes
For further information, and to arrange an appointment to submit nomination papers, please contact Electoral Services on 01727 819565 / 819554 or elections@stalbans.gov.uk
Once the nomination period has closed (4pm on Wednesday 2 April 2025)
please see the "Statement of Persons Nominated" under the Election Notices section above
The results will also be displayed at: St Albans City & District Council Offices
you will need to bring an acceptable form of photo ID
This requirement was introduced as part of the Elections Act 2022
For more information about acceptable forms of photo ID, and what to do if you don't have photo ID, please visit our Elections Act and Voter ID page.
The first two digits of your year of birth are pre-printed on your postal voting statement
The digits are pre-populated in the first two boxes of the year of birth based on your date of birth
This is done to assist electors to complete this section of the postal voting statement correctly
If you live in an area with multiple elections
you might receive a separate postal voting pack for each election / referendum
If you aren't able to return your postal vote pack in time via Royal Mail
you can return it via reception at the Civic Centre offices (during office hours) or at your polling station on polling day
You will only be able to hand in your own postal vote and the postal votes of up to five other people
Political campaigners can only hand in their own postal vote
and postal votes for up to five other people that are either close relatives
or someone they provide regular care for.
Anybody handing in a postal vote in person at the council offices or at a polling station must complete a short form.
Postal vote packs are usually sent out around two weeks before election day
If you've not received your postal vote pack by four working days before election day
contact Electoral Services on 01727 819294 or elections@stalbans.gov.uk
We can only issue a replacement before 5pm on election day.
A teller is a volunteer working for a candidate or a political party
They stand outside polling stations to record who has voted
They do not work for the Returning Officer
Tellers can:• Ask for your elector number• Wear a small coloured rosette to show which candidate or party they work for
Tellers can't:• Intimidate electors or demand their elector number• Prevent electors from entering the polling station• Attempt to influence how electors vote
And then there are surprise gigs – and this was one such
being found after a casual search to see what was on at Harpenden Public Halls
a venue which rarely had much to offer in the way of Americana
Stephanie Finch and Jessie Malin on one memorable night in 2018 – was surprisingly high in the ratings
Harpenden Public Halls is a thing of the past
and the shiny new Eric Morecambe Centre is the happening space
They’d almost managed to sell out this night – and this despite well-known information sites such as Songkick having no idea about the gig and the advertising seemingly relying on people searching for what was on at the defunct Harpenden Public Halls
a bar inside the main doors and a long thin auditorium which must be able to seat a shade over 500 – a similar size to The Stables but with less of an in-the-round feel
This was billed as Richard Thompson solo – and it was the man and an acoustic guitar all the way through
with his wife Zara Phillips joining him for most of the second part of the 90-minute set
It predominantly drew on the ‘Acoustic Classics‘ and ‘Acoustic Classics II‘ albums and
was also a bit of a “greatest hits” setlist
It started with a wonderful ‘I Misunderstood‘ with its twisted chorus of “I thought she was saying good luck
instantly drawing us into the Thompson world of mistakes
‘Turning of the Tide‘ brought us into the evening’s other theme – a touch of the eighties
with this shabby “love” song coming originally from 1988’s ‘Amnesia‘
a put-down more cruel and dripping with acid
And if ‘Genesis Hall‘ and a truly lovely ‘Beeswing‘ might have made the set look very backward looking
or maybe just about an old mule thrashed once too often
a suitably vicious sideswipe at unrestrained capitalism
he’s breathed his dying breath / Poor old mule
they worked his arse to death” with discussions on how the carcass can still be used to turn a profit “And who wants his liver
There’s rich pickings there / We’ll chop it up and carve it up
Thompson guessed that the majority of the audience’s musical prime was the sixties and seventies – and offered some nostalgia in the form of ‘Walking The Long Miles Home’
which reflects on his youthful journeys back from The Marquee after his parents moved to the end of the Tube line
Zara Phillips claimed the eighties as her decade
and Thompson wryly observed that he was making music in the eighties as well – illustrating the point with a savage ‘She Twists The Knife Again‘ which this writer first heard when it was new and Richard Thompson was playing the University circuit
And reflecting on this gig and the heavy proportion of duets such as ‘Hokey Pokey’ the lovely ‘Withered And Died‘ and ‘I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight‘
there’s also the feel of the intimacy of a folk club gig – a big folk club admittedly
but the easy rapport that Thompson has with his audience made the room seem that much smaller
‘1952 Vincent Black Lightning‘ rightfully got a massive response
but it also shines through on a song of heartbroken regrets and longing like ‘If Love Whispers Your Name.‘ At seventy-five
Richard Thompson is still at the top of his game as a player
and the signs are good to assume that there’s a bit of life left in this pack mule
More People Really Should Know About: Jonathan Peyton
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Similarly we were slightly blindsided by this tour
Cambridge Corn Exchange has featured on just about every RT tour (solo and band) since 1988 – but not this time
It was only by chance that we saw he was playing The Apex at Bury St Edmunds and managed to get the final two remaining tickets
We didn’t see any major announcements for the tour itself
One point I did notice was the gig was promoted by the venue itself – so maybe no promotion of the tour as a whole
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and air raid wardens appointed across Harpenden
The story of how the town faced the challenges of the Second World War is the latest instalment in a series looking at the Growth of Harpenden on display in the museum at the Eric Morecambe Centre
It has been curated by Harpenden & District Local History Society
Harpenden had to find homes for 2,000 child evacuees arriving at the main station
Harpenden formed Home Guard platoons in 1940 and prepared for invasion
a secret listening post was set up at Rothamsted Manor and a prisoner of war camp established at Batford
The Land Army ploughed up the Common to grow vegetables
Several underground air raid shelters were built in the central area of the town and various insurance companies decamped central London and set up temporary offices
explained how the exhibition was collated: “Using the society’s archives
we have pulled together a fascinating collation of photos
press cuttings and other artefacts which tell the story of Harpenden in World War II
The community contributed in many ways to the war effort and our exhibition will be a vivid reminder of what times were like in the 1940s.”
Museum curator Pamela Doran said her favourite story is the account of a boy who lived at the house in Crabtree Lane which was bombed: “The bomb hit us on the night of 20 October 1940
I owe my life to Mother’s decision for us to sleep under the stairs
following a previous landmine explosion which had taken out our windows
I just recall a roaring and rumbling as the house collapsed
From a cable running from the staircase to the remains of the living room wall
Although Harpenden was hardly touched by bombs – as well as the house mentioned the roof of Batford Methodist Church was burnt out on Sunday May 1941 12 by incendiary bombs – disruption to daily routine was considerable
The exhibition opens on May 3 with a family activities day for one day only
to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day
which includes a self-guided family walking trail of key sites around town
and the chance to try on clothes from the war
Harpenden in WWII runs until September in the Eric Morecambe Centre and is open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but check the website for confirmation at www.harpenden-history.org.uk
Wheathampstead History Society is holding their own free exhibition of the village during WWII on Saturday and Sunday May 10-11 at Memorial Hall
Harpenden Rugby Football Club (HRFC) has announced a new partnership with Padel Pass Ltd to bring the world’s fastest-growing sport to the town
padel tennis combines elements of tennis and squash
on an enclosed court about a third the size of a tennis court
the game features walls that the ball can bounce off
The sport emphasises strategy and teamwork over power
making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes
Padel Pass is a Harpenden-born padel tennis company founded by Jack Howe
and boasts deep roots in the town’s sporting community and extensive expertise in padel
Padel Pass will build four canopy-covered padel courts at Harpenden Rugby Club
enhance HRFC’s facilities but also help generate funds to reinvest into their existing amenities
said: “Our partnership with Padel Pass is part of a series of truly exciting developments taking place at HRFC
“When you combine their expertise with our facilities
our shared values with our shared intent to develop sport for our community it made the decision to partner with Padel Pass very straightforward
“This will not only provide our existing members with access to a fantastic new facility but will continue to strengthen our community ties and support Harpenden Town Council’s strategy to develop sport and wellbeing in Harpenden.”
The Padel Pass team added: “We’re incredibly excited to bring padel tennis to Harpenden Rugby Club
our mission has been to establish a high-quality padel facility in our hometown
“Partnering with such a well-respected and renowned local club fills us with great pride
We can’t wait to build an amazing padel facility in partnership with one of the country’s top amateur rugby clubs!”
Find out more at https://padelpass.co.uk/
Just over 10 weeks since controversial charges for on-street parking were introduced by the district council – and on the eve of crucial local elections – SADC leader Paul de Kort has agreed to a review of the scheme
It follows pressure from Harpenden MP Victoria Collins
who took the unprecedented step of writing to Cllr de Kort having previously avoided becoming directly involved in the row because of the defined jurisdictions of Member of Parliament and district council
Retailers and residents alike have opposed the measures – which were revealed by the St Albans Times last February – with an e-petition opposing the scheme signed by 1,774 people
and a further 1,264 and 6,022 signing paper and Change.org versions
But SADC pushed ahead with the charges regardless
abolishing free one and two hour slots in favour of one 30 minute period per day
The changes came into effect on Monday February 17
with many businesses reporting an immediate drop in footfall and customer spend
Victoria wrote: “Constituents and local businesses alike have contacted me concerned that the charges are impacting their ability to head into town and impacting on businesses.”
She asked him for clarification on key issues highlighted by her constituents
“How is [SADC] measuring the impact of the changes on local residents and businesses in Harpenden
and ensuring an open dialogue with those businesses impacted
How and when will this be reviewed over the coming months
what is the feasibility of having one-hour free parking before any charges
What are the next steps for simplifying the payment system?”
Cllr de Kort said SADC’s parking services team were monitoring the use of free and paid sessions
and once enough data had been obtained it will be reviewed along with the usage of town centre car parks
“Parking services will also collate feedback from all customers
and will use this to feed into the review process and explore potential changes to how the scheme is managed.”
But he warned that any review must allow time for a scheme to have bedded in
which is usually no sooner than 12 months after implementation
asked officers to provide reports on data that can be reviewed in the meantime
and the council welcomes any evidence-based input from any organisation and body.”
He said any future review would revisit the possibility of one-hour free parking if the evidence supported this
he revealed that a solution to the need to use two codes has been developed and a single code system commencing testing in May
Victoria said: “Ensuring Harpenden has a thriving town centre
supporting local businesses and improving services for local people remains a top priority
After years of budget cuts from the Conservatives
have been forced to make tough decisions such as increasing charges
When it comes to parking it is important to get this right for Harpenden
I’m pleased that the council remains open to feedback and is committed to a review of the parking system
“I’m also pleased to hear that they have not just listened but acted on resident feedback to push for simpler payment solutions including a one-code payment
I will continue to follow this and push for work across councils to ensure there’s a holistic approach to supporting our town from transport
parking and local services for Harpenden.”
St George’s School in Harpenden has been judged Outstanding in every category following its recent Ofsted inspection.Inspectors found the school to be Outstanding in all areas assessed
The report highlights that “pupils at this school receive an exceptional education” and describes behaviour across the school as “exemplary.” Inspectors praised the school’s strong academic curriculum
and the wide range of leadership and enrichment opportunities available to pupils
Headteacher Andy Ford welcomed the report: “We are absolutely delighted with the outcome of this inspection
To be recognised as Outstanding across all areas of our school is a reflection of the extraordinary commitment of our staff
it is also a celebration of our pupils; whose kindness
and sense of service make St George’s such a special place to live and learn.”
“I want to thank every member of our staff for the excellence they bring every day
I am deeply grateful to our Governors for their support
to our parents and carers for standing with us in partnership
and most of all to our pupils who inspire us everyday.”
The unprecedented move by Harpenden Town Council to embark on a legal challenge against SADC’s controversial on-street parking charges looks like becoming one of the flagpole issues of the forthcoming May elections
Elections are taking place for four positions on the town council
with vacancies for one councillor in North Ward and West Ward
Candidates for the Local Conservatives have offered their opinions on the issue
and unsurprisingly have unanimously condemned the policy
Sam Spiri (Harpenden South) described May’s ballot as “the parking charge election”
adding: “Every business in the town is harmed by these charges and should’ve been listened to before they came into place
“Ultimately what these charges have done is taken a social asset away from residents
Whether or not this has raised revenues is undetermined at the moment but even if it has – which is unlikely considering this Lib Dem council’s abysmal record – it still doesn’t make this change ethical
“More importantly though this charge just shifts the problem of overcrowding elsewhere
It’s now even more difficult for commuters to get a parking space at the train station
and will not fix the fact that we have insufficient infrastructure
“I’ll fight tooth and nail to repeal the charges because that is why I’m running in this parking charge election.”
Millen Cvetkovic (Harpenden West) said it had been evident from the beginning that footfall was significantly down and the town centre was much quieter
“Having lived in Harpenden for over 30 years I cannot recall a time when parking spaces are so plentiful!”
He said the “intended purpose” of the charges
and questioned why SADC had been losing money on their existing parking operation in the first place
“I would request that they provide the following information: What is the monetary value of the shortfall these specific charges are intended to fill
How much is it costing to police/operate/manage
How much revenue has it raised to date and is the revenue stream on target to meet the shortfall they have declared
because it probably won’t fill their coffers and they won’t want to admit this
People have changed their behaviour and are staying away.”
It was the lack of consideration of the overwhelmingly negative public consultation by the Liberal Democrat administration which Millen says prompted him to enter local politics and hold them to account
“If elected I am open to meeting and discussing concerns with stakeholders who have been severely impacted by these egregious charges
“I will then continue to apply pressure on the Lib Dems at every opportunity to reverse the charges
continue to expose the dishonesty and unaccountability of those responsible for implementing the charges and work with colleagues to develop a fully costed plan to cover any budgetary shortfall by other means.”
John Drake (Harpenden South) said the charges had triggered a downturn which threatened one of Harpenden’s most attractive features
and supported the town council’s legal challenge
he said he had witnessed a decline in donations
“There is no evidence of more sustainable travel
leading to lower retail revenue which will inevitably lead to potential business closure
The Lib Dems have introduced a negative spiral
it will become even less attractive to come into town.”
With 95 per cent of respondents opposing the charges in the public consultation
John felt the Lib Dems completely misunderstood Harpenden’s population
“The council says it wants to encourage more sustainable travel and that’s absolutely right for those who can
but for many residents this is not an option
“This is particularly true of the 4,000 residents over 70
many of whom live over a mile away from the town centre
They don’t have the time to walk with toddlers and young children into town
particularly if they live on the outskirts of Harpenden or in local villages
and many cannot afford the charges on already stretched budgets.”
Aaron Jacob (Harpenden North) said he was firmly against the charges: “Residents are against them
I am a solicitor in my family-run High Street legal practice
so I absolutely get it when it comes to being a High Street business
it is very hard to see how the consultation was taken into account
we must help businesses and work with them
I will do whatever I can to reverse the parking charges
I eagerly await the outcome of the Judicial Review
but I call on SADC to rescind the charges now.”
St Albans Green Party declined to comment on the issue on behalf of candidate Mario May
The Liberal Democrat candidates for the town council issued a joint statement ahead of the election
Much of this did not focus on the parking charges
so we have opted to use just the relevant material in this story
It was submitted by Kevin Timmons (Harpenden North)
Zoe Hollowood and Nikolaus Rath (Harpenden South) and Suheil Shahryar (Harpenden West)
They said: “We are all proud to be standing for election to Harpenden Town Council as Liberal Democrats who will always put our town
“Ensuring that Harpenden remains a thriving town for businesses
local people and visitors will be at the heart of what we do
we are all committed to working collaboratively and constructively with local residents
businesses and St Albans district council to play our part in ensuring parking works for Harpenden
we will use our collective platform to listen
provide feedback and continue the work of the town council which has already engaged regularly with local businesses
“We’ll also continue to stand up for the protection of simple
for those who are unable to use or less confident using technology including smartphones
“Engaging with local people of all ages and backgrounds is also vital to us as Liberal Democrats
That’s why we knock on doors all year round
and deliver leaflets precisely to be in touch with the whole community online and in person
“Liberal Democrat town councillors have also actively engaged across the community through local organisations and events such as the Seniors Fair and partnerships such as with the Harpenden Hopper
“As active local residents we have already received a range of feedback on the current parking system
and it’s important all those voices are heard
we hope to use our decades of experience and our passion for Harpenden to ensure that local people and businesses are heard and that Harpenden Town Council works for everyone.”
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The data suggests a high turnover of spaces with each of the 243 bays being used almost five times a day
The charges were introduced a month ago with one of the aims being to encourage broader use of these slots
An update on charges was given to a meeting of St Albans City and District Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee on Monday 17 March.
revealed that during the first four weeks there were 27,887 parking sessions booked in Harpenden
19,606 were for the free parking sessions of up to 30 minutes and 8,281 involved payment
The PayByPhone app was the most popular booking method with 78% of the sessions authorised that way and the other 22% made using the payment machines
charges were introduced at a further 70 bays and these have clocked up 2,043 sessions in the first four weeks
We have been closely monitoring the data given the considerable public attention the parking bay changes received
This shows that the new regime is settling in with more than 1,000 motorists a day booking sessions in these on-street bays in Harpenden
meaning that people are not having to circle around the centre of town looking for an available bay should they prefer to visit without using the local car parks
Cllr de Kort also revealed the latest data for another Council initiative – a car parking Access Permit for older residents
The permit was introduced last month for residents aged over 70
providing parking for up to three hours a day for £190 a year at all Council car parks.
A total of 294 Access Permits have been issued so far and Cllr de Kort added:
I am very pleased with the take up to date and encourage people to pass on to other eligible residents its existence
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins is calling for urgent action to address the growing problems of litter across the town and the surrounding villages
Littering in Harpenden was first raised by pupils from St Dominic’s Primary School when they visited Parliament and mentioned their litter picks with Victoria
Residents across the constituency have since raised serious concerns about the state of the local environment
with one constituent describing driving along local roads as “like driving through a landfill site.”
Alarming statistics have reinforced the urgency of this issue – 48 per cent of people admit to dropping litter
and More than two million pieces of litter are dropped every day across the country
Victoria has identified several factors contributing to this crisis
including reduced council waste management budgets
increasing fast food consumption leading to more disposable packaging
and a general lack of public awareness about the environmental impact of littering
Roadside litter collection is carried out by SADC as part of a contract with Veolia
and residents who see litter are advised to report it to use the Recycling
Rubbish and Street Cleaning page on their website
Victoria said: “People are rightly upset about the amount of rubbish they encounter everywhere
from roadsides that look like rubbish dumps to litter-strewn public spaces
but a serious environmental and social problem.”
Victoria has praised the exceptional work of local volunteer groups: “I view the litter picking teams in our constituency
“These groups give me the confidence that many constituents not only highly value our environment but have the desire to take action to protect it
Some of these groups have been running for years and serve an important role in the community and I know there are many more who would like to help
I would encourage those interested to join these groups.”
and countryside should not be spoiled by litter
This can be a solvable problem with the correct resources
making our communities and roads spaces that we can be proud of.”
St Albans fashionista Karen Jennings has opened a pop-up boutique in Harpenden – but hurry
personal stylist and denim expert Karen Jennings was a senior stylist at The Dressing Room for 17 years
director and franchisee of St Albans’ late-lamented Levi Store
offering expert fashion tips and style advice
Her latest venture is part of St Albans Fashion & Beauty Week
Karen said: “The shop is bursting at the seams with summer fabulousness including new resortwear brand Valerie Vain
plus lots of new fun jewellery and oodles of pre-loved treasures
“Come see us and have some fun whilst you browse our carefully curated collections
You never know what you may find that will change your summer life!”
The StylingOut50 boutique is open until Sunday May 11
St Albans City and District Council’s original proposals have been modified in response to feedback from residents
One aim of the proposals is to encourage active travel
Other aims are to ensure a greater turnover of premium parking places and improve enforcement by enabling new methods such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition
Four new disabled bays are also being created to provide improved parking facilities for motorists with Blue Badges in Harpenden’s town centre.
The charges will affect an additional 243 bays in Harpenden and an additional 70 in St Albans
and are due to come into effect on Monday 17 February
Motorists will have several payment options
including contactless via pay and display machines
with new equipment to be installed at key locations; the mobile phone app PayByPhone; and
and cash or chip and pin at PayPoint outlets
The decision to introduce charges required a Traffic Regulation Order authorised by the Council’s Strategic Director for Community and Place Delivery in consultation with Councillor Helen Campbell
I fully understand some people will be disappointed at being charged for a service they have been getting for free
we analysed the responses to the consultations and engaged with stakeholders such as ward Councillors and Harpenden Town Council
We listened to the feedback and we made some significant changes as a result
such as changing the start of the controlled hours to 9am in Harpenden to help parents dropping off for school
and meeting requests for a longer free period of 30 mins
we will also be improving access to Harpenden town centre for Blue Badge holders
The charges are benchmarked against other local authorities
with many towns of a similar size to Harpenden having long had charges for on-street bays
we will monitor the impact of the changes and review if necessary
Allow for a 30-minutes free period once a day
so the charge for a one-hour stay will be £1.25 while the two-hour cost will be £3.75
Cover a maximum stay of two hours with no return for two hours
Charges will not be considered at bays in York Road
until a wider review of parking in the area takes place
will be converted into resident parking bays for the benefit of local households
Revenue from charges will go towards the Council’s on-street car parking services budget
and towards greater levels of parking enforcement
The Secretary of State is clear that parking services should be self-sufficient
instead of subsidised by other Council services as is the case at the moment
The revenue generated will help reduce the on-street parking service deficit
which is in the interest of all Council taxpayers as it will ensure we can better protect some of our other services.
Should any surplus income arise from on-street car parking
it would have to be kept in a ring-fenced budget and only be invested in parking
Alongside these changes to the way on street parking operates
the Council has also approved a brand new Access Permit to help older people who may have difficulties with digital applications
This pass will be made available for purchase from Thursday 13 February and will cover all the District Council car parks.
The pass will cost £190 a year and be valid for one visit a day for up to three hours
a person would need to be a resident of the District and aged 70 or over
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
The new partnership will support valuations for complex and self-build mortgage cases
L&G’s Mortgage Services business has today announced the addition of Harpenden Building Society to its Surveying Services panel
further expanding the breadth of support available for advisers who handle specialist and self-build mortgage cases
The partnership will see L&G’s surveyors trained on Harpenden’s Self-Build process
which will enable the team to provide surveying services in the specialist field
Harpenden’s Self-Build range includes support for barn conversions
new builds (including on owner-occupied land)
and the purchase of land with planning permission
The partnership strengthens both L&G and Harpenden’s shared commitment to supporting customers with bespoke lending needs
while ensuring high service standards and efficient turnaround times for surveys
The lending solutions are available for employed
L&G: “We’re focused on creating partnerships that empower intermediaries and deliver better outcomes for customers
Adding Harpenden to our Surveying Services panel supports that mission
bringing greater choice to customers with complex needs
and reinforcing the importance of flexibility and specialist expertise in today’s lending landscape
We’re excited to be working more closely with a lender that shares our commitment to tailored service and innovation.”
Harpenden Building Society: “We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with L&G’s Mortgage Services business by joining their Surveying Services panel
which will help our customers continue achieving their financial goals
including those with non-standard properties
Our customers and intermediary partners will experience the benefit through consistent turnaround times
while our mortgage team will be able to monitor the progress of our instructions throughout the valuation process until submission of the report
This step will help the Society achieve its long-term commercial goals and ultimately continue delivering the service it provides to its members.”
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Share to FacebookShare to LinkedinSt Albans City and District Council has agreed the sale of Harpenden Public Halls to ChristChurch Harpenden (CCH) for use as a permanent building for their church.
CCH is a diverse church with a regular Sunday morning congregation of over 300 people including 120 children and young people
It currently holds its services on Sundays at a number of venues
using its premises on Vaughan Road for other activities
the Council’s Leader and Chair of the Strategy and Resources Committee
I am pleased that we have reached this agreement after an open market sale process and will obtain a substantial sum for the benefit of our residents
The Halls provided Harpenden with a lively entertainment venue for many decades
but it had become clear we needed to replace it with a much more modern facility
We are proud we did so with the opening of the magnificent Eric Morecambe Centre with its theatre
we considered several options for the future of the site
But due to changes in the wider economic climate
we decided to explore the sale of the freehold as that seemed the best way forward
The sum raised will help reduce the Council’s borrowing as was originally envisaged when we embarked on the project to create new leisure and cultural facilities for the town
I’m pleased that the sale will see the Public Halls continue to be used as a community building
although that was not one of the sale conditions
I am sure ChristChurch Harpenden will make good use of the building and wish them well with the task of refurbishing it
We are very thankful for the opportunity this iconic building gives us to be a church at the heart of our community
Having recently marked our 60th anniversary
we have a vision to be those who truly love Christ
I would like to thank St Albans City and District Council and their property agents
for managing a professional bid process.
we are very grateful for the generosity of the CCH church family and friends who have self-funded the purchase of the building
The sale is conditional on planning permission for change of use and is scheduled to be completed early next year
CCH hopes to complete the refurbishment of the building along with some repairs in 2026
They will be selling their Vaughan Road premise in due course
For more information on CCH: www.christchurchharpenden.org.uk
For the Council: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer, 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk
For CCH: g.eccles@christchurchharpenden.org.uk
L&G’s Mortgage Services has announced the inclusion of Harpenden Building Society to its surveying services panel
The agreement will see L&G’s surveyors trained on Harpenden’s Self-Build process
Commenting on the panel addition L&G Mortgage Services managing director Kevin Roberts said: “We’re focused on creating partnerships that empower intermediaries and deliver better outcomes for customers
“Adding Harpenden to our Surveying Services panel supports that mission
and reinforcing the importance of flexibility and specialist expertise in today’s lending landscape.”
More than 170 panels, covering around 400 square metres, have been fitted to the south facing roof of the centre.
It is estimated the panels will cut emissions by 18 tonnes of CO2 a year by generating 93 megawatts of electricity.
That amounts to 12.5% of the centre’s needs and will provide a significant saving of some £24,000 a year on energy bills.
St Albans City and District Council owns the centre which is managed by its leisure contractor Everyone Active.
They applied for a Sport England grant to help finance the project and were awarded £173,000 from the Swimming Pool Support Fund, supported by the National Lottery.
Builders TJ Evers, based in Tiptree, Essex, were awarded the contract to install the panels with the work now completed and the scaffolding removed.
Councillor Helen Campbell, Lead for Leisure, visited the site to inspect the panels along with executives from TJ Evers and Everyone Active.
This has been a major construction project and I was delighted to see the impressive results.
Harpenden Leisure Centre has been a wonderful success story since opening four years ago. It was always our intention to acquire funding for solar panels to add to the buildings environmentally-friendly features.
One of our priority projects is tackling the climate emergency by reducing emissions and this is one of the many actions we have taken to do that. It also means that the centre’s energy bills, which have risen steeply since its opening, will be significantly reduced.
James McNulty, Everyone Active’s Contracts Manager, said:
We're delighted to see the solar panel installation completed at Harpenden Leisure Centre.
This renewable energy solution perfectly aligns with Everyone Active's Net Zero Strategy, and we're proud to work alongside St Albans City and District Council to advance our shared environmental commitments.
The panels represent a significant step forward in our sustainability journey while ensuring the centre remains an energy-efficient facility for the community.
Alan Evers, Managing Director of TJ Evers, said:
We are delighted to have successfully completed the installation of solar panels on the leisure centre in Harpenden for St Albans City and District Council. This project is an important step in supporting the Council's sustainability goals and cutting carbon emissions.
Our team worked diligently to ensure the installation was delivered on time and to the highest standards, minimising disruption to the leisure centre's operations. The new PV system will not only help reduce energy costs but also contribute to the wider goal of making public facilities more environmentally friendly.
As a building contractor dedicated to driving forward green initiatives, we are proud to be part of this important development. We look forward to continuing our work with St Albans City and District Council and other partners to deliver sustainable solutions across the region.
Photos: top, Cllr Campbell, far left, with, left to right, Alan Evers, Managing Director of TJ Evers, Chloe Ledger, Harpenden Leisure Centre Manager, James McNulty, Everyone Active’s Contract Manager, and Tristan Luckman, Contracts Manager for TJ Evers.
Notes to editors
National Lottery players raise, on average, £30 million each week for projects all over the country. In total £38 billion has been raised for Good Causes since The National Lottery began in 1994 and more than 535,000 individual grants have been made across the UK, the majority (70 per cent) of which are for £10,000 or less, helping small projects make a big difference in their community!
Share to FacebookShare to LinkedinUPDATE: part of the upper tier has now been re-opened following a further inspection
Only around 30 spaces are out of action (12/2)
The upper tier of a Harpenden car park - leased by St Albans City and District Council - has been shut for safety reasons until further notice.
Around 100 spaces have been put out of action at Bowers Way West with some 60 spaces on the ground floor still available
The Council has been informed that a structural weakness had been identified during an inspection of the building which is privately owned
Council officers are now waiting for an update from the owners about their future plans
This issue came as a bolt out of the blue and was completely unexpected
advised us about the issue and we had no option but to order the car park’s upper storey to be closed to ensure the safety of the public
It is most unfortunate news for Harpenden where demand for parking spaces is high
I am sure residents will understand that this issue is completely out of our control as we do not own the building or have responsibility for maintaining its structure
and safety needs to be the primary concern
Our car parking team has been at the scene and started discussions about the next steps
We will keep residents informed about any updates we receive
Bowers Way West season ticket holders will be allowed to use Bowers Way East
which has 148 spaces and three disabled bays
The Council operates two other car parks in Harpenden with a further 532 spaces: Lydekker
You can find out more about our car parks here: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/car-parks-and-street-pay-and-display
A local authority has approved Legal & General’s (L&G) 550-home development on the green belt after invoking the government’s new planning rules for grey belt land
St Albans City and District Council voted five to four to give outline planning approval to the application
which was made by L&G’s Strategic Land Harpenden arm
The Harpenden development is slated to include a maximum of 420 residential properties and 130 homes for integrated retirement living
with the proportion of affordable housing being increased from 40% to 50% to meet the new grey belt rules
Council planning officers argued that because the development is set to deliver a minimum of 50% affordable housing
it meets the requirements that form part of Labour’s new grey belt rules in the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)
One of the ‘golden rules’ for green belt development requires “at least 50% of the housing to be affordable
unless this would make the development of these sites unviable”
The applicant has increased the affordable housing provision from 40% to 50% during the course of the application,” the council report said
based on an affordable housing provision of 50%
the proposal would comply with ‘golden rule A’ of the NPPF.”
The site sits within the metropolitan green belt
which surrounds London and accounts for 31% of England’s total green belt
An L&G spokesperson said: “We are pleased to have secured outline planning approval for our proposals for 550 new homes in Harpenden
There is an acute local need for more housing
We look forward to working with the local authority and community as we progress our proposed development.”
the development has been controversial since it was initially proposed
Harpenden Town Council voted to “strongly object” to the application
arguing that there was insufficient justification for developing on the green belt
inaccurate transport assessments and it would cause unacceptable damage to ancient woodland
A local group began a campaign named ‘Stop L&G’ in a bid to prevent the development from going ahead
The group claimed the plans will have “a major detrimental impact on local residents”
This includes causing “significant levels of increased traffic on already over-congested major roads”
increasing the burden on health services and overwhelming “inadequate local sewerage infrastructure”
The decision follows a House of Lords inquiry into the concept of grey belt land, which concluded earlier this month that it may now be “largely redundant” after the government made sweeping changes to other parts of planning policy
Peers examining the government’s grey belt proposals found they had been “eclipsed by more significant changes” introduced in December
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Week two of the Harpenden parking charging saga
It is no longer half-term with everyone off skiing
as some social media posts suggested was the reason why the town has been deserted recently
Claims that reduced footfall was down to the school holidays have been refuted as the downturn has continued
Parking bays remain unused and the streets are still empty
Our conversations with business owners on what should be a busy Tuesday morning reflect the pitiful state of the high street
with many claiming money-grabbing SADC seems determined to turn Harpenden into a ghost town
Since February 17 a complicated pay-for-parking system has come into play in the town centre
location numbers and a free half hour which has also thrown a spanner into the works when it comes to choosing how long you want to park
Add into the mix the fact that you might also be charged 10p for a text reminder about the ‘free’ half hour unless you have notifications turned off on the app
Charges apply between 9am and 6pm and you cannot stay longer than two hours
or return to park again any less than two hours later
The cost of an hour with the free 30 minutes is £1.25 while the two-hour cost will be £3.75 including the free half hour (see what we mean?)
So what do retail staff feel the impact of the charges has been
more than a week since they were implemented
said the charges are really affecting people who live out of town and come in for work: “There used to be places we could park for free a couple of years ago
It’s been a developing situation and now it has become impossible
I have to pay more than £10 for the whole day which is quite a lot
but if I got a parking ticket it would be half a day’s pay
Everybody has noticed how much quieter it is out there in the shops.”
Staff at Friends hairdressers told us that they’ve noticed the charges are causing their customers added stress and highlighted the expense of staying longer than two hours
They said processes like hair colouring take longer than the maximum two hours allowed on the roads nearby meaning they have to pay for a whole day in a car park at a cost in excess of £10
Hasan Aslaw of Turkish restaurant Okka said: “It is affecting the amount of customers we get
We’ve been very quiet since the new charges came in
People just don’t want to pay five or ten pounds on top of their meal or shopping or whatever.”
dispensing optician at Harpenden Eye Centre said that she has noticed a significantly reduced number of customers
What has struck me is that people aren’t going to as many places as they would have previously
One lady came in for her eye test and then looked at the time and said she wasn’t going to be able to do the other things she had wanted to do because her free half hour had run out
She said this meant customers are visiting fewer businesses during a visit to the town
Whereas previously somebody might have bought a birthday card
a coffee to take-away and a bag of shopping from one of the supermarkets
now they have to restrict their purchases due to time
and said she has noticed a 15 per cent decline in customers’ spend per receipt: “The lack of people last week was nothing to do with it being the school half term holidays because this week is just the same
Fiona said previously people would drive around looking for a space and perhaps be inspired to pop in and buy something they had seen in the window
Now they can’t do that without paying to park or registering their time of arriving which means they are losing those impulse buyers
if you bumped into a friend and fancied going for a coffee
you could legitimately move your car into another space after your free time was up
You now can’t do that because you aren’t permitted to stay in the town after the two hours.”
Owner of News4U Nitin Shah said: “It’s become very quiet with lots of empty parking spaces everywhere as you can see
People who do visit me say they have no time to chat and I’m really missing the customer conversation
“I get so many elderly people usually but less so now as they don’t like using the machines and aren’t very text savvy.”
said: “I was in the middle of an in-depth discussion with a potential customer recently when they received a text and had to dash off
The purchase of art is a considered process
and customers need the time to contemplate what they are buying
“This is ruining the community vibe of Harpenden where people could enjoy a leisurely walkabout and a chat.”
Lara Wares from gift shop Threads said: “Our footfall was 7 per cent down compared to half term last year
But we have been generally running at least 3 per cent up year on year for the last six months so it’s fair to say our footfall was at least 10 per cent down
and I’m sure it will get much worse as loads of customers hadn’t realised the parking charges had started yet.”
SADC councillors and officers alike have always insisted the introduction of on-street parking fees in Harpenden would have little or no impact on trade
A report by council officers to the public realm committee stated: “Whilst we understand residents and businesses will have concerns about increases to car parking charges and whether there will be a potential impact on businesses and the vibrancy of the town centre
there is no evidence to support that there will be a negative impact on the high street.”
claimed the charges were a positive move for businesses: “The main objection to the changes
was concern that they could have an adverse effect on businesses and the vibrancy of the high street
but we have seen no evidence to support this
She previously commented: “I believe the changes will benefit the community as a whole by promoting active travel and discouraging people from parking on the street longer than they need.”
But it was council leader Cllr Paul de Kort who was most vocal in his criticism of any suggestion that the introduction of parking charges would have a detrimental impact on retailers
I hear this is going to destroy the High Street
“I can’t take seriously the politicians who put out a leaflet that said we are going to turn Harpenden into a wasteland like St Albans city centre
because I didn’t have to answer anything else in the leaflet when they put that out
“When the level of hyperbole is so high you’ve got to say let’s take a reasonable view of this
I haven’t found any piece of research that says parking charges are a key deterrent to people going into town or city centres…
I would welcome it if somebody could show me a piece of well-put together research on the High Street that says a council put up car park charges near a city centre and it blew the whole place up
That’s different from getting rid of all the parking spaces.”
But Harpenden town councillor Richard Scott
who has been campaigning against the charges long before they were introduced
is pleading to shoppers not to give up on Harpenden High Street
to order that thing you wanted from Amazon instead of popping into Harpenden to visit a local retailer
We have an amazing community of local businesses
He said SADC imposed these charges without a councillor vote
so they can reverse them without a councillor vote
“Your councillors are elected to serve you and our community first
With courtesy and respect at all times please
Tell them how you feel about these charges
Use your lived experience to provide real life examples of how they are affecting your day to day lives here in Harpenden
Tell them that you would like the charges and the parking meters removed.”
He is urging residents to question county council candidates when they are out canvassing to determine their stance on the charges: “If and when someone from one of the parties knocks on your door
or leaves you a leaflet with contact details
ask them their position on High Street parking
and if they will work with the town council to reverse the district council decision
One local resident who has been very vocal in his condemnation of the charges was Jeremy Vance
who sent an in-depth criticism of the measures to various district councillors
He said: “It has been a week since the new approach began and the implications on the town have already been significant
“Footfall in many shops is down by between 30-40 per cent
and this comparison is against previous half term weeks
Parking spaces are not being used – every day this week when I have passed through the town
there are numerous spaces available and there are noticeably fewer people visiting the centre
“I suspect that this will continue to be the case
because residents feel sadly let down by their democratically elected representatives who seem to have failed to listen to or act on their feedback and opinions.”
He accused SADC of implementing a confusing scheme with the purpose of catching out motorists and generating more revenue from fines
“I’m sure that the councillors who supported and drove through the changes will continue to believe that they are ideologically sound and pursuing an agenda which
It may even generate some of the funds that it is supposedly targeted to achieve
the damage it has done to the reputation of the Liberal Democrats in the town will be far more substantial and long-lasting
“If you and your colleagues were politically savvy and had sufficient nous
you would be searching for a way to reverse the policy as soon as practicable
Most reasonable people understand the need to pay for parking and the financial challenges that SADC is facing
There was a better way to approach this challenge
in a more measured and collaborative fashion
the adversarial approach adopted by SADC towards Harpenden
embodied in the pronouncements of Cllr Campbell
I think that you will see the results of such opinion in May
Where we have landed is neither liberal nor democratic.”
Parking attendants were out in droves to take advantage of Monday’s introduction of the much-derided on-street parking charges in Harpenden town centre
it is no longer free to park despite arguments put forward by retailers
residents and town councillors calling on SADC not to press ahead with the proposals
The new payment meters were causing problems by 9.10am
One lady was almost in tears trying to work out the new machine
At first she couldn’t get it to work but then she was puzzled by the 10p charge for her “free” half hour
Leah Rowland said: “This morning has been so stressful
It’s a bit confusing as you think you’ve done something wrong
“If the money is going to the council then I suppose that is fair enough as they do need the money but I hope they spend it on the right things
“One thing I can never understand in this whole furore is why they don’t take the station car park back as they could make lots from that surely?”
Two workmen who parked their van outside Silver Palette found the sticker to tell them how to park was missing from the sign
Construction workers James and John Smith usually sit in a café somewhere in town to eat between jobs in the area but now they don’t think they will
We used to come here to eat and support local cafés but there isn’t a way of parking now
“They make it increasingly difficult for people – look at that sticker – only half of it has been applied to the sign.”
said she feels there was no proper consultation by the district council: “It was just a given really
Asked if the added expense will put her off coming into Harpenden she said: “No
I’ve still got to do what I’ve got to do so I will just have to pay for it
“But I feel sorry for the shopkeepers and the older people who will find it hard.”
is often picked up by her husband so they can go for a meal or to the supermarket
“It will be annoying now without that free hour for us to leave the car after I finish work
said: “This is my nearest place to come to a chemist
It’s really offputting… the thought of having to pay to park for longer than half an hour
“Half an hour might be long enough to do what I need to but if there is a delay in the pharmacy or something
One of the things I liked about living here was that I could pop up here for a short time and not worry about paying.”
the Conservative candidate in last year’s General Election
says he likes to support local businesses: “It’s a sad day – and not just for Harpenden’s hard working high street traders and our local economy.
“Everyone – from our young mums to our pensioners – will find their daily lives harder as a result of the council’s actions.
“St Albans council have simply not listened
It’s hard to come to any other conclusion than their officials are ideologically motivated – with little understanding of what makes Harpenden tick.”
at least three parking attendants were patrolling Harpenden in a bid to catch out anyone who had failed to realise the charges were in place
it became increasingly obvious that motorists were boycotting the town
with dozens of vacant spaces which would normally be full
Resident John Talbot gave a scathing summary of the situation: “Well the combined council voted for it
the weak-minded politicians failed to oppose it
preferring to think of their political careers rather than oppose the imposition of parking charges on the streets of Harpenden.“This is a sad day indeed for the once thriving
more than half of the available spaces were not occupied
“Immediately the traders will be affected and will have noticed a fall in trade already
you only have one honourable course of action and that is to resign your seat with immediate effect.”
who has fought against the charges for months
said: “SADC continue to add insult to injury to Harpenden’s residents and retailers with Monday’s botched and poorly-communicated implementation of their unwanted High Street parking charges
“I have been in touch today with several of our independent retailers
each of whom has noticed significant declines in footfall
Moreover the much-touted ‘free 30 minutes’ isn’t free at all
further deterring shoppers and visitors from our High Street
“Local Facebook groups are ablaze with Harpenden residents objecting to the SADC parking charges
as SADC chose to impose these charges without Harpenden’s consent and without even bothering to put them to a vote at the district council
“As a Harpenden Lib Dem who has volunteered hundreds of hours campaigning to get local councillors and our MP elected
it is incredibly upsetting to see our hard-won local reputation shredded in a matter of months by these greedy and damaging SADC parking charges
“We have critical county council elections coming up in May
I am deeply worried about the impact of the SADC parking charges on local voters and our ability to motivate our local volunteers
I fear that Harpenden’s excellent Lib Dem county council candidates will pay a heavy price for the hubris
greed and authoritarianism of the St Albans Liberal Democrats.”
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey had a prickly reception when he visited Harpenden today – and not from the media scrum in attendance
He was accompanying local MP Victoria Collins on a tour of Hornbeam Hedgehog Sanctuary
and donned a pair of thick gloves in order to get up close and personal with the snuffly critters
It was his first return visit to the town since before Victoria won the seat
having joined her and St Albans MP Daisy Cooper for a cookery session at High Beeches School
and then wrapping up the party’s election campaign in a pink Cadillac at Hammond’s End Farm
This time round the politicians found out how to make their homes hedgehog-friendly
fed some of the sanctuary’s residents
It might have been more sedate than the stunts Ed is renowned for
but he said the message was no less important
with hedgehogs on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species
whether they’re helping amazing charities like the one here that’s rescuing hedgehogs
or by the way they look after their gardens
I think that people care about their environment
and it’s right that politicians are finding out about it and seeing what we can do.”
He was also adding his support to the Liberal Democrats’ campaign to seize control of Herts county council from the Conservatives at next Thursday’s local elections
“We’re going to campaign right to the close of the polls because we don’t take people’s votes in any way complacently
But there’s no doubt the signs are good for the Liberal Democrats here in Hertfordshire and indeed across England
“We’re finding that lifelong Conservatives are switching to the Liberal Democrats
Building on the success we’ve had in Hertfordshire
here in Harpenden where Victoria Collins was elected the MP last July
we feel there’s real momentum behind the Liberal Democrats.”
it is essential for the Lib Dems to win key divisions like those in Harpenden
Arguably until last year the party were on track to take those seats from the Conservatives
but the introduction of on-street parking charges in the town have seen a backlash against the Lib Dem-controlled SADC administration
Victoria has been very outspoken in calling on SADC leader Paul de Kort to review the charges – is this something Ed would support
“I tend to leave those sorts of issues to local politicians who know them and understand them
she’s already made a massive impact in Parliament
and I know she’s got a great reputation as someone who represents her community
“So I’ll let her as a local MP represent her people
but I’m sure there’ll be a lot of listening
There is a real problem with funding of local government
and I know that’s a real challenge for people
but I think it’s up to local people to have their local solutions.”
Does he not think that the longer this drags on
the more threatening it becomes as an election issue
especially with the Conservatives campaigning for the charges to be reversed
Would he not like to see Cllr de Kort agree to sit down with Victoria and have a conversation about reviewing the scheme before May 1
“I know they will do the very best they can for local people
but I think it’s a bit rich for the Conservatives
given their appalling track record on the county council
“I think there’ll be a lot of motorists who will know that the Conservatives are a party opposed to motorists
because they’re having to mend their punctures
they’re having to get their axles repaired because of the damage that the potholes have done
So the idea that the Conservatives are on the side of the motorists is a joke.”On a wider regional issue
given the recent approval for the expansion of London Luton Airport
what can be done to mitigate against the impact of this on the local infrastructure
“I think it’s a really bad decision to expand Luton Airport
I’m really worried about the impact on the overall infrastructure
“It’s already creating a lot of congestion on roads
and I think local people are quite understandably concerned that an expanded airport will cause even more congestion
it’s going to have to be in a very big investment in local trains and local buses
and helping the local community be able to take this expansion
But I’m very worried that it’s not going to be able to.”
The arrival of the railway in the 1860s and the sale of farmland for housing were catalysts for change in Harpenden
which effectively became a town following the establishment of Harpenden Urban District on April 15
The story of this period of growth features in the latest exhibition at Harpenden Museum
part of a series of instalments by Harpenden and District Local History Society
the main industry up until this time had been cottage-based straw plaiting
The Harpenden Echo of August 15 1919 reported: “There had been three schools where boys and girls were taught straw work and educated at 6d a week
From this time plaiting as a village industry for women decayed
By 1880 it had become unusual to see even older women at their open doors with fingers flying
Foreign plait so ruined the industry that a day’s work now only earned three or four coppers.”
trustee and researcher with Harpenden and District Local History Society
explained: “Whilst Harpenden East Station at Batford
was also surrounded by fields as Station Road and Arden Grove had not been developed.”
this time on August 8 1919: ‘‘The great day in the history of Harpenden was 20 July 1882
when 1,000 acres of land in and close to the village was sold.”
The Packe and Pym Estate was originally owned by Godman Jenkyn of Harpenden Hall
The auctioning of this land initiated the development of Harpenden
The land was divided into multiple plots and sold to various builders
But it wasn’t until the 1930s that it was all built on
These stories and more feature in Harpenden – From Village to Town, which runs to April 26 at the Eric Morecambe Centre in Rothamsted Park and is open 11am-3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Check the website for confirmation www.harpenden-history.org.uk
St Albans district council has been accused of ignoring the best interests of everybody except themselves and deciding to hammer the final few nails into the coffin of local businesses in Harpenden
The unpopular charges for on-street parking have been approved despite fierce opposition from retailers
residents and town councillors and will come into effect from February 17
They will apply from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Saturdays
with one 30-minutes free period allowed each day
Retailers and headteachers have spoken out about their frustration and disappointment with the decision to bring in the charges
which were announced by SADC parking lead Cllr Helen Campbell last week
said she was shocked that the council would go ahead with the scheme despite such strong opposition and reasoning from residents
district councillors and Harpenden Town Council: “I am equally shocked at the insight this has given us into local politics
where democracy seemingly counts for nothing
“Cllr Campbell claims that there is no evidence that parking charges reduce footfall which is just nonsense when so many councils around the country
operate schemes such as free parking after 3pm in order to increase footfall.”
very concerned about the impact this is going to have on retailers and local residents
said: “I have come back from a trade show and I am dismayed to see that we have been ignored by the council
“I thought the Government was trying to grow the economy not shrink it!
“I am seriously concerned about the future of my business
Mary said she has seen the parking metres popping up around town and added “sometimes it’s not about the cost of the charges so much as the hassle for people”
especially those who don’t like paying by card or who have a disability which makes it difficult for them to use a machine
Fiona Thomas who owns clothing boutique Oui said: “More than 9,000 people signed the petition [opposing the charges] which the council has ignored
“Helen Campbell said she has made significant changes as a result of listening to the consultation
however parents can’t even pick up their children from primary schools free of charge
“There is one 30 minute session but even though the council has started the charges at 9am rather than 8.30 the primary schools start to go into school at 8.55 so parents will have to pay for one session daily
“I thought state school education was a free right for all
Harpenden is mainly used for essential amenities and therefore the charges are abhorrent
The council said they wouldn’t remove parking spaces but they have now removed five general parking spaces in Leyton Green and made them residents’ parking only
I am hoping that Harpenden Town Council can overturn this reprehensible regime.”
Headteacher of Harpenden Academy Lisa Davies said: “The introduction of these charges means that many of our staff
will now have to pay nearly £1,000 per year just to park near their workplace
and we fear it will make it even harder to attract and retain staff
the additional cost will make their roles financially unviable
leading to staff shortages that will inevitably affect the quality of education we provide
“We appreciate the council’s need to manage parking services effectively
but we urge the council to consider the unintended consequences of these charges on essential workers
Schools play a vital role in the community
and staff should not be penalised for simply trying to do their jobs.”
She said she would welcome the opportunity for the council to explore potential solutions
such as exemptions or permits for her staff: “I hope that the council will take these concerns seriously and reconsider aspects of the scheme before implementation
We are aware that some organisations such as the Harpenden Leisure Centre have parking for their staff
Harpenden MP Victoria Collins said: “In everything I do locally and in Parliament
my priority is representing and supporting local residents
I’ve been discussing these parking changes with people who’ll be impacted
and sharing those with the local council and in Parliament
“Although I don’t have a direct say in parking decisions
I’ve been doing all I can to raise constituents’ concerns about these changes
by discussing the parking charges with St Albans district council
And I’ll keep doing all I can to continue this
I have also written to the council to convene a meeting to discuss local government funding
raise ongoing concerns about parking and look for alternative solutions
“Locally and across the country local councils are struggling after years of neglect by years of Conservative Governments
and quite frankly it’s the services provided by councils nationwide
“I’ve repeatedly stressed to Government just how vital it is that they boost support for our local high streets and businesses
“Regarding these parking changes specifically
I have raised how businesses like Threads and Oui are worried about how they’ll be affected
I recently held a debate on the impact of the Government’s Autumn Budget on our high streets
during which I emphasised how important it is to provide funding for local services and therefore
to ensure that the Government properly fund local councils
“As the debate on these parking charges has progressed
I’ve been calling for the council to do all they can to ensure the best outcome for all is secured
And I’ve been pleased to see the introduction of several changes
including free parking before 9am and for half an hour daily
I am however highlighting the ongoing concerns from local people.”
Revenue from charges will go towards the council’s on-street car parking services budget
Developers behind plans for 550 new homes on north-west Harpenden Green Belt have submitted a revised traffic plan in a bid to win approval for the scheme
Legal and General want to build land at Cooters End Lane and Ambrose Lane
The project does not conform with SADC’s recently submitted Local Plan
which would reduce the size of their development to 300 and give the council more rights to force the developers to fund improvements for local infrastructure
Campaigners say the revised traffic plan has been hastily patched-together and is untested
and will cause significant traffic disruption for residents
L&G and Herts county council previously proposed reducing Luton Road to a single carriageway under the Nickey Line bridge
introducing segregated cycle lanes in order for the project to be seen as a sustainable development
But following widespread local opposition they backed down and HCC admitted the single carriageway scheme was unworkable
resulting in a new alternative plan from L&G
According to the plans
this appears to introduce a new 20mph zone under the bridge
add a new set of traffic lights under the bridge and potentially lengthen the signal of existing traffic lights for cycle crossing
It also requires cyclists to get off their bikes under the bridge and use narrow pedestrian footpaths
Campaign group Stop Legal and General claim the new plan is completely untested and L&G has provided no assessment as to how it would impact on congestion and safety
HCC has indicated that they will accept this new traffic plan as an ‘improvement’ to the current situation
as long as L&G pay £30,000 towards a feasibility study of the site for a longer-term solution
“HCC has not indicated why they think this untested plan is an ‘improvement’ or any details about a new longer term solution
their approval makes it much harder for the district council’s planning committee to turn down L&G’s development on traffic grounds
ironically HCC’s own Highways Department are recommending motorists to avoid Luton Road due to the current roadworks
L&G has already conceded that their proposals will make local roads such as Ambrose Lane and Cooters End Lane rat-runs
Yet they have also just submitted detailed plans to site almost 50 additional car parking spaces off Ambrose Lane
“As local residents we are convinced that the combined effect of the traffic generated by this development and this new traffic plan will be a complete nightmare
The current roadworks at the Nickey Line bridge and last October show how appallingly disruptive this could be to local residents and Harpenden as a whole
“We are also very concerned about the safety impacts of narrowing the vehicle lanes
given the large vehicles passing under the bridge
and forcing cyclists onto narrow pedestrian footpaths
HCC are recommending that L&G’s development be approved on the basis of an untested
In our view this is simply unacceptable for such a major
strategic highway and could grind Harpenden and the town centre to a halt.”
Many residents have already lodged objections to the scheme with the district council
Tim and Di Pope of Tennyson Road said: “We are somewhat surprised that we are being asked again to comment on L&G’s proposal – and that St Albans District Council are allowing minor tweaks to a scheme which do not address any of the major concerns already raised by an overwhelming number of residents and local groups.”
Shelagh Collingwood of Clarence Road pointed out: “This plan is not feasible in many ways
Where is the infrastructure to support 550 new dwellings when local services are already stretched beyond capacity?”
Derek Baker of Hillside View said: “The proposed development will inevitably lead to increased traffic on both major roads and side streets in the area
This is particularly concerning in residential areas where many children walk to and from local schools
Increased traffic on these side roads not only leads to congestion but also raises serious safety concerns for our children
who are at greater risk from additional vehicles
“The safety of schoolchildren should be a top priority
and this proposal fails to address how their well-being will be safeguarded from heightened traffic dangers.”
John Allatt of Longcroft Avenue added: “There is a feeble attempt to deal with pedestrian activity by creating an additional pedestrian route at the Nickey Bridge but it is unlikely this could be made safe and widening it would add to the traffic chaos
At peak traffic times the travel times by car to school and work will be enormous.”
You can comment on the scheme using SADC’s planning portal or by emailing planningcomments@stalbans.gov.uk using the reference 5/2023/0327 before this coming Saturday
Stop L&G is also urging residents to email county councillors Paul de Kort and Teresa Heritage to reiterate their concerns and asking them to do all they can to reverse HCC’s approval for this untested traffic plan:
paul.dekort@hertfordshire.gov.uk and teresa.heritage@hertfordshire.gov.uk
Any contributions will help ensure the long-term future of the St Albans Times.