THE WHT has been praised for highlighting potential parking issues at a Hatfield-based water company. When Three Valleys Water relocates to Hatfield Business Park in May, just 266 spaces will be available for 660 employees. The husband of one worker said:

THE WHT has been praised for highlighting potential parking issues at a Hatfield-based water company.

When Three Valleys Water relocates to Hatfield Business Park in May, just 266 spaces will be available for 660 employees.

The husband of one worker said: "All the people there [at the Bishops Rise company] are supporting you.

"My wife comes home in tears sometimes.

"She is terrified about walking back to her car at night; she's frightened senseless."

He dismissed the company's claim that "parking limitations will help promote sustainable travel choices. It's not a green thing at all.

"People will be driving around looking for a car parking space wasting fuel. Car sharing is just not practical."

"I thank you for raising this issue."

Another worker said: "They are trying to make out that it is a green issue, but we know it's not.

"Women are frightened about walking around at night.

"Why can't they relocate somewhere else? There is plenty of land around in WGC and Stevenage.

"We do appreciate everything the WHT is doing to publicise the parking issues.

"I'm glad you are bringing it to the public's attention and are standing up for working class people."

Under Government planning rules parking spaces are restricted to far fewer than the number of employees.

This was put in place to try and encourage greater car sharing or use of public transport.

A spokeswoman for Three Valleys Water said: "We will be promoting alternative methods of travel to work, such as public transport, walking or cycling and our new building has space to accommodate over 60 bicycles."

There will be 660 employees moving to the new site in May from the Bishops Rise office and Bushey and Rickmansworth offices.

Currently, at Bishops Rise, there are 265 parking spaces; these include disabled, short stay and operational.

In total there will be 375 parking spaces at the new site.

However, 109 of these have already been accounted for, for disabled, short stay and operational staff. So, 266 spaces will be available to the rest of the employees.

It had been hoped that employees would be able to park three out of five days. But the spokewoman said this was not definite.

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