I can understand that the loss of Farm Terrace Allotments remains a sore point. But it seems perverse of Labour candidate Sarah Jane Trebar to criticise the provision of a new hospital car park on the site as if this had nothing to do with improving the hospital.

Few would dispute that the current car parking arrangements at the hospital are completely unacceptable. I understand that feedback from staff, patients and visitors alike is that they regard parking provision as among the worst things about attending the hospital – even being an obstacle to staff recruitment. It has also been cited by those who don’t want a new hospital at Watford General as a reason not to invest here.

Providing a new multi-storey car park has long been identified by West Herts Hospitals Trust as crucial to their improvement plans. It will be right next to the hospital with a direct internal link, so that people no longer face a steep uphill walk, braving the elements, to get to work or a hospital appointment or visit a sick relative.

More than that, there is direct connection between providing the new car park and delivering new clinical facilities. Building a new car park means that a large area of land occupied by the existing one will be freed up, and this is where the new hospital buildings and facilities will go. The availability of this land is essential, as the hospital will have to continue providing its services throughout the rebuilding process.

We now have a once-in-lifetime opportunity to see a major reconstruction to provide a 21st century hospital. This would have been all but impossible without the availability of the Farm Terrace land, which has meant there is enough land available for the whole project. I am proud that successive Lib Dem mayors and councillors have made the sometimes difficult decisions necessary to making this happen.

Cllr Iain Sharpe,

Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development,

Liberal Democrat