I’m glad Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst shares my and many others dismay at the woeful lack of cycle provision (Push for pedal power, Letters, August 7).

Way back in May, the Government declared “Fast-tracked statutory guidance published today, effective immediately, will tell councils to reallocate roadspace for significantly-increased numbers of cyclists and pedestrians. In towns and cities, some streets could become bike and bus-only while others remain available for motorists. More side streets could be closed to through traffic, to create low-traffic neighbourhoods and reduce rat-running while maintaining access for vehicles”

Which bit of that did the Tory-run Hertfordshire County county council not understand?

To date, since lockdown there have been no additional cycle routes added in Watford, Rickmansworth whatsoever.

The only marginal improvement has been to put an end to the ‘car crawl’ up the lower high street so for once pedestrians and others can move without playing roulette with their lives dodging the boy-racers who zoom up for no apparent reason other that to showcase their oil heap on wheels.

Rickmansworth on the other hand hasn’t even gone that far. Apart from barriers to the parking bays there is still a pointless paramble of aimless posers parading down the town’s tiny old high street.

Obviously Boris Johnson’s message about exercise, and the role bikes have to play fell deaf on the ears of those at County Hall for whom bling is king rather than healthy living.

Perhaps Herts County Council could explain what happened to the £1.7m central government funding it received for cycle schemes. How much does it cost to put up some shared cycle/pedestrian signs and paint a few lines in a road?

Perhaps in future central government should mandate councils to act on these emergency measures and fine them for sitting on their hands which is putting lives at risk.

Dave Degen

Whippendell Road, Watford