Bushey locals worry about housing developments and traffic

Overall the town was deemed a good and safe place to live, but developers eyeing nearby green spaces was another similar concern raised by locals when the Watford Observer visited this week.

Darren Currie, 44, has grown up in Bushey. The security engineer and married father of three said: “I like the area, as long as they don’t build any more houses.

Darren Currie (Image: Newsquest)

“I am also worried that they will build on the Bushey Country Club golf course and Harts Farm.”

As the housing developments have increased so has traffic, Michael Bartman, 78, believes.

He said: “It’s terrible during rush hour. I walk out in the morning to buy my paper and traffic is at a standstill in the high street.

Michael Bartman (Image: Newsquest)

“It has taken me half an hour to get from the village to the heath before because of the traffic. It shouldn’t take that long.”

Despite his concerns, Mr Bartman, who has two sons with his wife in Bushey, added that he thinks it is a “friendly community”.

“We have so many good points about Bushey, access to the M25, to London and then we have the Rose Garden and the Bushey Symphony Orchestra,” he said.

People driving too fast on the high street is an issue that Marion, 60, has with the village.

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The mother of two, who works as a volunteer and has lived locally for 26 years, said: “I’m not sure what could be introduced to reduce the speed, but something needs to be done to slow down the traffic.”

She is also concerned about the Bushey Country Club golf course site. She suggested it should be used as a location for a community project, like the Oxhey Activity Park with a cafe.

Rachel, 58, who moved to the village 18 months ago, said: “It’s a nice place to live and it’s a good advantage being close to Watford.

Rachel (Image: Newsquest)

“But I would like a few local shops that sell fresh fruit and veg. It would help older people who can't travel far.”