Anne Main MP has this week learnt that any decision to sell the land owned by Hertfordshire County Council at Park Street will be an ‘executive decision’ made by the council’s cabinet. The St Albans MP who has fought tirelessly against the rail freight proposals called for the ‘momentous decision’ to be given full consideration by all Hertfordshire county councillors.

‘Given that such a momentous decision will have terrible consequences for St Albans, and wider implications for Hertfordshire, I think it’s clear we need all the county council’s elected representatives to give this full consideration.

‘With the massive impact on commuters, local people, and our city, we should call on the county to make sure councillors are fully part of the decision-making process – not just the county’s cabinet. The decision to sell the land for rail freight will have huge consequences for the rest of Hertfordshire.

‘By taking time to fully consider the implications of selling the land, councillors would not only be able discuss the harm that rail freight would cause, but, crucially, how any possible alternatives would generate a greater community benefit. The county as a whole must think through all possible consequences.’

A legal officer at the Hertfordshire county council said that, ‘any decision on the future of the property and whether it should be sold would be an executive decision which would be made by Cabinet following consideration by and a recommendation from the Resources & Performance Cabinet Panel. In considering this matter the Cabinet Panel and Cabinet would be supported by officers from Hertfordshire Property and Legal Services.’