The leader of Hertsmere Borough Council has defended efforts to sort out traffic congestion in the town.

Cllr Morris Bright said: “In response to the article 'Fresh call to sort out traffic fiasco’ I would like to clarify a few points on behalf of Hertsmere Borough Council, whilst stressing that the responsible authority for highways in the borough is Hertfordshire County Council.

“The first is that any "Traffic growth in the town centre is partly attributable to the number of new shops and restaurants that have opened in the past two years, which includes major new retailers moving into the Borehamwood Shopping Park.

“The council welcomes the investment in the town centre given the number of vacant shops that previously existed and many of the businesses did not require planning permission to operate out of these existing premises."

The council leader went on to refute claims by former resident Jodi Schneider, who told the Borehamwood & Elstree Times last week that she had moved out of the town because it had become overcrowded and new developments had resulted in fewer parking spaces.

Cllr Bright said: "We challenge the assertion the council is ‘putting up buildings all over the place’.

"We have to ensure we meet housing targets set by government, but all development proposals that the council receives are assessed carefully and their impact on local infrastructure considered.

“Hertfordshire County Council is the responsible authority for highways and a key partner with whom we consult about proposed developments in the borough.

“The town’s development and regeneration is inevitably bringing with it traffic challenges in common with many other town centres.

"We’ll continue to work with the county council on options to manage and alleviate these issues.

“I’d also add that proposals to introduce signals to the Theobald Street/Shenley Road/Station Road/Allum Lane junction are included in the county council’s urban transport plan for the town."

Have your say by commenting on this story online.