BITTER disappointment has gripped Watford Council after its hopes of securing a site in Bushey to host a park and ride car park were scuppered this week.

On Tuesday, Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council refused to give their support to the initiative off Stephenson Way for Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan (LTP).

The plan aims to reduce traffic levels by 25 per cent in the next 12 years - a move which means the park and ride in Bushey will not happen until the plans are reviewed in five years' time, and is unlikely to happen at all.

In July 1997, Hertsmere council, County Hall, Three Rivers District Coucil and Watford Council dreamed up the idea of a park and ride facilitiy to ease Watford's traffic congestion problems by encouraging more mortorists to use buses.

Leader of Watford Council Vince Muspratt said: 'It is disappointing both Hertsmere council and Hertfordshire County Council have buried their heads in the sand.

'We all signed up for the Hertfordshire's transport plan and Watford seems to have taken all of the stick. Watford has implemented a strict regime for residents' parking, cut down on long-term parking availability in the town centre and introduced a hopeless green route, but accepted it was part of the plan.

'The county council has betrayed Watford and I am not convinced with the planning reasons why this scheme should not go ahead.'

Since its introduction, the scheme has stirred up contention among councillors at Hertsmere council, who say it is not fair Bushey should host a site set to benefit the residents of Watford at the village's expense.

Despite the vehement rejection of the park and ride scheme by Hertsmere council, County Hall has confirmed it will consider the scheme as a long-term measure in Hertfordshire's draft LTP, if a suitable site is found.

Hertsmere council is determined to ensure Stephenson Way remains untouched and within the Green Belt boundary.

Speaking on behalf of Hertsmere council, County Councillor Michael Colne said: 'We are determined to prevent the rape of the last piece of Green Belt in Bushey. You have the M1 link and now you want to make the last corner into a concrete jungle.'

Supporting Watford Council, Mr Mike Pearse, The Harlequin shopping centre manager, said: 'Retailers had welcomed the park and ride initiative.'

Three Rivers Council leader Ann Shaw refused to comment.