West Herts Liberal Democrats - Working for Hertfordshire, for Britain and for You!

A £68 million upgrade to the Wherry Lines - one of the infrastructure investment projects originally initiated by the Lib Dem Coalition Government - is likely to cause disruption in the Yarmouth area as re-signally work takes place.

This essential work will mean that the line from Reedham to Yarmouth will be closed for 6 months from the end of October 2018 till April 2019. In addition, trains from Reedham to Lowestoft will also be cancelled between October 20^th and 28^th.

Cabinet is set to withdraw proposals to move the Jarman Athletics track to Cupid Green fields, after a consultation report showing deep and reasoned objections was championed by LibDem Councillors Adrian England and Lara Pringle, at wednesday's "Oversight & Scrutiny Committee" meeting, at The Forum.

In October Councillors were told that some disabled people have been waiting as long as five years for a disabled adapted council house. This is despite Dacorum Council having a written objective to 'Provide good quality affordable homes, in particular for those in the greatest need.'

The Council admitted the shortfall and highlighted a lack of resources including a failure to keep in regular contact with some disabled people waiting on the list for an adapted home.

Despite the present minority Conservative Government and its harsh austerity programme, there is still a trickle of infrastructure improvements reaching completion. However, these were originally commissioned under the Coalition Government by Liberal Democrat Transport and Environment Ministers. One of particular interest to the East of England is the construction of a new junction, which will pass under the East Coast Main Line (ECML) at Werrington, just north of Peterborough. Work has just started and it should be completed by 2021.

It will allow freight trains going to Felixstowe to cross the ECML without interfering with traffic on the fast lines. In addition, upgrades elsewhere on the route between Peterborough and Felixstowe are planned including a third track between Peterborough and Huntingdon.

The Liberal Democrats' week started well with Jennie Brent, the Independent councillor for the Eastney & Craneswater Ward of Portsmouth City Council joining the Liberal Democrats and the Portsmouth City LD Group. Jennie had left the Conservatives early in the Summer when she became an Independent.

Then over in Essex, Cllr Andy Wood who represented the North Clacton Division of Essex County Council has also joined the Liberal Democrats

Meanwhile we continue to make progress in Cambs - in East Cambridgeshire District this time - as Liberal Democrat Victoria Charlesworth got a good result on 4th October and made a dent in the Tory majority with a 12.5% increase in vote share.

Soham North & Isleham (East Cambs District) result:

CONSERVATIVES: 48.8% (-17.4)
LIB DEMOCRATS : 30.0% (+12.5)
LABOUR: 10.9% (-5.5)
IND: 10.4% (+10.4)

Conservative HOLD.

Like many delegates Nick and Rosemarie from Tring combined participation in the Liberal Democrat Conference with visits to rellies and a short holiday. They went down by train - taking a car to Brighton is a crazy thing to do - stayed in a convenient sea front hotel and had some excellent meals.

On the third Tuesday of each month we have our Supper Club here in Berkhamsted.

We discuss politics and anything else we choose to talk about.

It gives us the chance to get to know each other and to put the world to rights.

We welcome all Lib Dem members - and anyone of a similar mindset - who would like to join us.

The Liberal Democrats are launching a petition in the response to the failure of the County Council to use funds provided by HS2 earmarked to be used this year for resurfacing Woodland Road in Maple Cross.

Please show your support by signing below.

We the undesigned being residents of Maple Cross and West Hyde, understand that Hertfordshire County Council as highway authority, have been given funds by HS2 limited to provide two pedestrian crossings and re surface Woodland Road Maple Cross, this will provide safe crossing areas for children attending Maple Cross school and to repair the damage being done to the road due to greatly increased traffic including large contraction vehicles which are using the road.

The news of the closure of the Bellgate Post Office will be a serious blow to the Highfield Community. Many local residents have relied on its services to avoid going into town. Older residents, and those not on the internet, will be hard hit as they rely on the local post office to pay bills, transfer money and perform numerous other transactions that others take for granted.