I would like to echo the comments made by others on London’s Labour Mayor suggestion of a £5.50 “London Boundary charge” on residents in Three Rivers and Herts driving into London. He can expect a serious and widespread campaign against it from Three Rivers Council.

With several roads straddling the boundary with London this would be an unreasonable burden. Whilst we want to encourage the use of sustainable transport it is just not possible all the time. Indeed I see as part of his plans he proposed to cut support to public transport. That would make it more difficult for residents to travel on the tube or bus into London.

This charge coming on top of Mayor Khan vetoing the ‘oven ready’ and funded Met Line Extension to Croxley, which would have encouraged non-car use into London, would be another kick in the teeth.

I also want to make clear that the claim from another political party on social media that Three Rivers Lib Dems blocked this matter being debated at our budget meeting on February 23 was entirely untrue.

It is disappointing that another party has attacked the Lib Dems instead of actually directing their fire at Mayor Khan. Is there an election coming up?

Given the importance of this issue we brought forward a report to our Policy and Resources Committee on Monday, March 8. At this meeting we all agreed to oppose the suggested charge as well as changes to TfL public transport into Herts (which it is also suggested could be cut) and write in such terms to the London Mayor. If this idea becomes a firm proposal we agreed to campaign against it.

May I for the record correct the impression from your recent article on the Council Tax rise in Three Rivers. The £5 increase is FOR THE WHOLE year so less than 50p a month - not £5 per month! It is by far the lowest in both percentage terms and actual amounts compared to that of the Police and Crime Commissioner and the County Council.

Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst