BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS for Business Newsletter

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March 2014

BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS (BHBI) is an integrated package of transport measures in

southwest Hertfordshire that is delivering a step-change in sustainable

transport provision, far beyond that which could be achieved through

conventional transport funding. The package enables businesses,

employees and residents to travel more easily around Watford, Hemel

Hempstead and St Albans, and leads the way on supporting economic

growth and reducing carbon emissions.

This is the fourth edition of our Business newsletter – please continue to send

us ideas and input. All methods of contacting us are shown on the back

page.

In this issue, we highlight the second network meeting and a couple of high

profile launch events which BHBI has funded or helped to deliver.

Message from Terry Douris

Terry Douris is Hertfordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Highways

and Waste Management:

“The BHBI for Business network has continued to grow and show its

importance. The launch of the Watford General Hospital staff cycle hub

on 6 February was an exciting chance to meet an Olympian and World

Champion cyclist. More importantly, this project and a smaller one at St

Albans Hospital is helping the West Herts Hospitals Trust, the largest

employer in SW Herts, to ease its parking and congestion problems. At the

second network event at KPMG, London Midland was able to start a

dialogue with large employers affected by the major works on the West

Coast Line. Both they and Network Rail were pleased to find a ready-

made forum from which to establish the needs of business in terms of

information and customer/staff communications.”

Inside This Issue

1 Message from Terry Douris

2 BigHerts Network Event

2 Business Cluster activity

3 Recent Events

“BIGHERTSBIGIDEAS is

tarting to stimulate real

business debate and

changes in behaviour”

VOLUME 1 ISSUE

BHBI NEWSLETTERPAGE 2

BigHerts Network Event

Coast Line start 3 to 5 May

Business clusters within the BHBI footprint

KPMG hosted our second network event at their Clarendon Road site in

Watford on 31 January. The main theme was Rail Developments in SW

Hertfordshire and there was plenty to talk about, including:

Croxley Rail Link – from 2017, the existing Metropolitan Line tube will be re-

routed into Watford Junction via two brand new stations serving key business

parks in SW Watford and Watford General Hospital/Watford FC on Vicarage

Road.

The Abbey Line – Janet Tyndale, Community Rail Partnership Manager,

reminded delegates of the viability of the Abbey Line (16 minutes between

Watford & St Albans) and opportunities for corporate sponsorship and station

adoption under the line’s special CRP status.

Watford Junction/West Coast Line closures – London Midland presented on

the strategically important improvements they and Network Rail are carrying

out on the West Coast Line. The benefits include longer platforms, more

reliability and greater resilience on the line. These major works will mean line

closures through 2014 and early 2015, primarily over Bank Holiday periods,

starting May 2014.

A follow-up meeting is scheduled for 28th March with the businesses that are

most likely to be affected over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Some of the

key measures include: Rail replacement buses via Edgware Tube (for

Euston); Metropolitan Line tube and London Overground running on most

days; southbound trains terminating at Hemel Hempstead. Please check

London Midland and Network Rail websites regularly for updates

(remembering to refresh pages to see latest information).

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Business Cluster Activity

ithin the BHBI area (Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead), there are

ertain locations with specific needs and problems in terms of transport. Two

uch areas are the Tolpits Lane area of SW Watford/Three Rivers border and

corridor from Leavesden through to Kings Langley and Apsley. Road

ongestion, car parking pressures and variable levels of public transport are

ffecting businesses’ ability to operate effectively, especially during a phase

f expansion. We have had meetings in both areas to start sharing

nformation and ideas. We can bring transport operators and other resources

n once we understand the common needs that exist.

e need to create a sustainable network once the Local Sustainable

ransport Fund comes to an end in this part of the county in 2015 and

usinesses sharing ideas is an excellent start.

f you think you have shared needs with other large employers nearby,

Major improvements to the West

Rail developments in

SW Hertfordshire

lease email bigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk

BHBI NEWSLETTERPAGE 3

Intalink vehicle at Henkel, Maylands

Cllr Terry Douris alongside Rob

and Sam Jones (CEO WHHT)

Watford Cycle Hub Mobile Dr Bike vehicle:

Recent Events

cycle facilities for staff, please email bigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk

* Presentations by the BHBI team at these two events showcasing work with the BigHerts network

Diary Dates

Contact us

View our BHBI websiteWWW

The Intalink promotional vehicle continued its test programme of visits to

business parks. Maylands was the focus in February, with half-day trips to

Amazon, Henkel and Steria. Henkel is in the process of moving staff into

Maylands from other offices and the vehicle arrived to coincide with staff

induction meetings. Staff were given timetable information (both on- and

offline) and told how to claim BHBI discounts where appropriate.

There were two high profile launches of new cycling facilities in Watford in

February. Olympic cycling medalist and former World Champion, Rob

Hayles, helped to launch the LSFT part-funded staff cycle hub at Watford

General Hospital. This video shows the event and the installation of

modular shower units and secure bike parking. The West Herts Hospitals

Trust is delighted with the project, which supports their sustainability

agenda and specifically helps ease parking congestion – this press release

explains more.

Rob Hayles also helped launch Watford Cycle Hub’s new mobile Dr Bike

service which is enabling visits to businesses, hospitals and schools. If you

are interested in a visit from the Hub’s team or to know more about on-site

News of forthcoming events, meetings and announcements for the network

BHBI for Business, network event 3 Date tbc in late April/early May

LSTF Marketing Seminar*, Derby 25 March, Derbyshire County Council

Cycle City Leeds* 1 & 2 May

For further information or to contribute ideas/queries, please emailbigherts@hertfordshire.gov.uk

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