• Letter sent to the environment department at Hertsmere Borough Council

I have lived in Borehamwood for many years and am very much surprised and left wondering by the enormous changes that are happening in this town.

I would very much appreciate if you could answer some of my queries.

Firstly, what is the logic behind the redesigning of the roundabout outside Elstree Studios?

When the roadworks first started there about three weeks ago, I thought you were making the road wider. But to my great stupefaction, I realised that the road had been made narrower. Why?

The population of Borehamwood has greatly increased and will continue to increase.

Therefore, the traffic will greatly increase too.

So why was the entrance to the roundabout made smaller? It cannot be for extra safety, as the road being wider is the safest option. So why?

On the same note, the main junction in Elstree was being repaired for weeks, which caused problems and aggravation to everyone using it. And for what purpose? Nothing, as it looks the same as before, just a bit more orange.

This would have been a great opportunity to put a roundabout at that junction to ease the traffic congestion.

So again, what is the reasoning behind this? Why was there so much time, money and inconvenience caused for no apparent gain?

My third question is about the enormous quantity of flats being built in Borehamwood.

I am fully aware that no public consultation changed or will change anything to the frenzy of building.

But I, like many people in Borehamwood, am appalled and panicked at the enormity of the coming population increase.

Where are all the new inhabitants of the Elstree Way Corridor going to park, because, of course, one allotted parking space per flat will not be enough.

What about the increase in the traffic? What about the lack of secondary schools, surgeries etc?

Who on earth thinks up and designs these changes?

Do they live in Borehamwood and have any idea of the problems that these changes will cause?

Talking of which, comments about the proposed modifications to the Elstree Way Corridor Area Action Plan (EWCAAP) should be made to the programme officer Helen Wilson, who lives in Redditch.

However, one wonders if there is any point in making comments about the EWCAAP as public considerations and concerns have totally and repeatedly been disregarded in the past (school closures, despite public outcry, being just one example).

I am looking forward to your reply.

Roselyne Connaughton

Bullhead Road, Borehamwood