Councillors have criticised proposals for a transport plan which does not include upgrades for the St Albans Abbey line.

Herts county council are drafting the South West Hertfordshire Growth and Transport Plan to provide an improved transport network, fit for future housing and employment development.

But councillors told a meeting on Thursday this is meaningless without an upgrade to the Abbey line between St Albans Abbey station and Watford Junction.

St Albans county councillor Sandy Walkington said: “The only way this is going to work is if there’s a more frequent rail service. A 20-minute service would be transformational.

“We can predict the responses of people will be to rubbish the whole report because its not in there.

“We can put that it’s not under HCC control, but we will continue to lobby.”

Officers said a proposal for a passing place on the line could only be determined by Network Rail.