‘It’s disappointing’ Watford Mayor Peter Taylor on delays to Watford General Hospital

The elected Mayor of Watford, recently visited the Vibe 107.6 FM studio to discuss key local issues affecting the town.

In a conversation with Vibe 107.6 FM presenter Mel Saggs, Mr Taylor discussed the redevelopment of Watford General Hospital, the Watford Community Lottery, and proposed government restructuring of Watford Council.

Delays in Rebuilding Watford General Hospital

During the interview, Watford Mayor, Peter Taylor expressed deep frustration over the delays in rebuilding Watford General Hospital.

"It's really disappointing," he said. "The council has done a lot of work to facilitate the rebuilding of Watford General. Anyone who visits knows that while the staff are doing a brilliant job, they are working in poor conditions. The building is literally crumbling. We have secured space for a new hospital, obtained outline planning permission, and improved road access. We expected work to begin imminently, within the next few months. However, last week the government announced that construction would not start until at least 2032, possibly even 2034. This is really bad news for Watford."

He further explained his efforts to push for an earlier start date:

"I've written to the Minister for Health, and we have already started campaigning against this delay. We have discussed this for years, and both patients and staff deserve modern facilities. The frustrating part is that we have been placed as number 24 out of 40 hospitals on a funding priority list, meaning 23 other hospitals will receive funding before Watford."

Government Plans for a Hertfordshire Super Council

The Mayor also addressed concerns regarding government plans to merge Watford Council with a larger Hertfordshire super council:

"At the end of last year, the government announced major structural changes across the country. Their proposal suggests eliminating county and district councils like we have in Hertfordshire. Currently, we have both Watford Council and Hertfordshire County Council handling different responsibilities. The issue with a super council is that it would cover a massive area. The advantage of having a local council like Watford is the personal connection—we know our councillors, and we engage closely with residents. While we acknowledge the need for change, we must ensure that local councils remain in place to effectively serve our communities."

Success of the Watford Community Lottery

On a more positive note, the Mayor highlighted the success of the Watford Community Lottery, which has already raised approximately £50,000 for local charities and good causes. The council is encouraging more local organizations to sign up and benefit from the initiative.

The lottery, which has been running for 18 months, allows participants to play for £1 per week, with 60% of the proceeds going directly to local charities and good causes. You can play the lottery here.

Mr Taylor emphasised the importance of such initiatives in supporting local organisations and strengthening community ties in Watford.

To listen to the interview in full click the audio link in this article.