A letter raging against controversial developments in Watford struck a chord with readers last week with many questioning how the area would cope.

The submission, written by Ian Fox - who dubbed himself 'Angry of Watford' - criticised housing plans agreed for the Range and Ascot Road.

He wrote: "Do we really need to build a 1,214-dwelling, 28-storey mega high-rise in what is an already high-density part of town?

"That combined with Ascot Road’s 691 flats and Sydney Road’s 600 flats, totals 2,505 new builds.

"That’s over three years’ housing targets ticked off without taking into consideration all the many other projects that are in development."

He added that the climate change emergency requires high-rise buildings with "car light/low parking spaces" - but the reality is people will still drive cars which will clog up the area.

Mr Fox's submission triggered a wave of similar views on the comments page, with readers fearful of the impact such developments would have on surrounding infrastructure.

Mrs Trawfod wrote: "They apparently argue that people will use the trains to commute into London.

"However no consultation was held with rail companies and as most people know these trains are pretty much full to capacity most days (except during a global pandemic).

"They just don't want to listen to the residents."

Another reader claimed most of the housing will be two-person flats, adding: "The question is will the car-free transport needs of BOTH parties be met in the development?

"That's a far taller order (ha ha) than having the apartments affordable by a single wage."

Several contributors defended the council claiming its hands were tied by Government demands for housing.

GarstonGoodBoy wrote: "The truth is councillors don't have much power the government has said it must happen and they hold the purse strings so it happens, but they really should have some sort of electric car share scheme it can be done."

But another reader, LSC1, commented: "So the question surely arises, what is the point of a local council? Why do we pay the expense?

"Borough blame County, County blames Borough, and they both blame Central, while just wandering around pointing at potholes and road signs."

The disheartened responses were encapsulated by RoMiG77, who commented: "The tragedy is that it won't make a bit of difference to their plans to swamp the town. 

"In a few years’ time, Watford will look like a slum; it's getting so bad, I'm even thinking of emigrating to Wales!"