The Elected Mayor of Watford has laid out ambitious plans for 2019 which include a multi-million-pound regeneration scheme and an on-demand bus service.

Peter Taylor will see in the new year with a host of investment proposals which he hopes will make Watford a “more impressive” town when people visit.

As part of Mr Taylor’s manifesto and the council’s drive to develop sustainable transport, the mayor told the Watford Observer he plans to introduce a bike share scheme and a flexible on-demand bus service.

The on-street bike scheme will be available 24-hour-a-day, seven days a week, and part of 25 other similar schemes across the country.

While the flexible on-demand bus service will run via an app. Customers can arrange to be picked up at a “virtual” stop and dropped at their destination.

He said: “Congestion is getting worse, we are a busy town and we want to give people options other than cars.

“It may make them decide they don’t need a car.”

Next up, Clarendon Road will be made “safer, greener and more attractive” owing to a £4.8m funding scheme from Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Watford Council will work with Watford BID and Hertfordshire County Council to “upgrade and revitalise” the major pedestrian route, hoping to attract and retain businesses and jobs.

Work will also begin on a newly redeveloped concourse at Watford Junction.

Mr Taylor said: “We want to have a more impressive welcome when people visit our town.”

Social housing is also high on the mayor’s agenda for 2019.

Working in partnership with Watford Community Housing, the council are looking at all the sites in the town where more social housing can be built.

Everyone on Watford’s housing register must have lived in Watford for five out of the last six years. Watford Borough Council is in a minority of councils building its own council housing.

Mr Taylor said: “The key group are families in temporary accommodation. The difficulty is finding space.

“We shouldn’t have children in temporary accommodation – they need stability, this is critical.

“We have seen 140 families in temporary accommodation down from 240 two years ago.”

Next, sporting heroes with a “local connection” will officially open improved facilities at both Watford Woodside and Watford Central Leisure Centres, on January 19 and 20.

Since the start of the council’s 15-year contract with Everyone Active, £1.8m has gone into the redevelopment project which is for the most part completed or well underway.

In 2019, the fitness suite at Watford Woodside will be extended to offer an additional 20 top-of-the-range TechnoGym stations, the toning suite will also more than double in size with new equipment and the two squash courts will also receive an overhaul.

Watford Central’s fitness suite will be extended with new kit installed, and a sauna and steam room will be put in on poolside in the new year.

Mr Taylor said the project should be finished in early spring.

The mayor also said he wants to increase the number of Green Flag parks in Watford from 12 to 16, adding: “I think it’s a worthwhile investment.”

Oxhey Activity Park could see a £4m investment which will make a range of improvements possible – including a café and riverside terrace, a junior play area, improved walking and cycling routes and a new course for skateboarding, scooters and blading.

Construction is expected to start in April 2019.

Woodside Playing Fields could see a new Community Sports Hub providing cricket, football and boxing facilities under plans to regenerate the area.

A new café, improved play areas, public toilets and additional parking is also planned.

Mr Taylor said he is still very committed to making Watford a Dementia Friendly Town, adding: “My grandfather suffered with dementia and the condition is becoming more and more prominent.

“I want more people to understand the condition and be able to support those in need and help carers too.”

And, Cassiobury Park’s mini railway will celebrate its 60th birthday in 2019.

Mr Taylor said: “I do love the mini railway, I go on it regularly. I have three young children and it’s very important”.

If you would like to become a Dementia Friend, email themayor@watford.gov.uk