2026

Why I’ve written to the Minister and why I’m not giving up

Independent District Councillor Rue Grewal responds to the Minister’s recent letter.
[See previous post: IMPORTANT: Local Plan Reg 19 Suspended]

I wanted to share the attached letter with you directly and explain why, as an Independent Councillor, I felt it was important to act.

Like many of you, I was deeply disappointed by the Minister’s letter on the Local Plan. I know how long this road has been, how much time, energy and goodwill residents have poured into this process, and how exhausting it can feel to face renewed uncertainty after so much hard work.

I have chosen to act independently because I believe in this community and in doing what I feel is right, not what suits a party line. Being an Independent means I do not have a political machine behind me, but it also means I have the freedom and responsibility to speak plainly, to challenge when needed, and to stand up for residents without hesitation. That is a privilege I take very seriously.

Over the past few years, this has been a long and demanding journey. I have dedicated a great deal of time and energy to protecting our green spaces and shaping a Local Plan that is evidence-based, collaborative and grounded in reality. I know many of you have done the same. What we have achieved together should not be underestimated, and we should all be immensely proud of the work that has been done.

More than that, I genuinely believe we have built something important along the way. We have strengthened relationships, worked constructively across communities, and, at least for me, made new friends. That matters, and it will matter even more in what comes next.

I am sharing my letter with you so that you know, clearly and unequivocally, that I am not giving up. I may not have a party behind me, but I have conviction, evidence, and a community I care deeply about. This moment may require a rethink, but it does not require surrender.

We have come too far for that.

Thank you, as always, for your trust, your partnership and your resilience. I remain committed to standing with you and continuing this work together.

With very best wishes,
Cllr Rue Grewal
Independent District Councillor for Carpenders Park
Independent Group Leader, Three Rivers District Council

Read her full letter here: https://rickmansworthresidents.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Letter-to-Matthew-Pennycook-MP-v3.pdf

By RDRA Web Admin, ago

Met Line temporary closure information 19‑22 February

A message from FOMLUC (Federation of Metropolitan Line Users’ Committees).

This is to remind you of the Met line closure over 19-22 February during part of the half-term week.

This closure means there will be no service between Harrow-on-the-Hill, Amersham, Chesham and Watford. Chiltern Railways services between Marylebone and Aylesbury Vale Parkway (via Amersham) will also be closed. Rail replacement buses will run to affected stations between Harrow-on-the-Hill, Amersham, Chesham and Watford.

This closure will allow us to test our new signalling system, part of the Four Lines Modernisation project.

Click the image below to open it as a PDF.

By RDRA Web Admin, ago

IMPORTANT: Local Plan Reg 19 Suspended

On 5th February, a letter from Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook has been sent to the Leader of Three Rivers District Council Stephen Medhurst ahead of the Regulation 19 consultation on the new local plan.

The Minister raises serious concerns that the council’s emerging plan proposes to meet only 56% of its assessed housing need, leaving a shortfall of more than 5,000 homes, and that there is little public justification for this. He warns that the plan is therefore at high risk of being found unsound or legally non-compliant at examination.

Because of these concerns, the Minister is using powers under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 to issue a “holding direction,” preventing the council from taking any steps toward adopting the plan while the government considers whether further intervention is necessary.

He requests the full set of documents and evidence intended for the Regulation 19 consultation by 19 February 2026, and encourages the council to work constructively with government officials going forward.

Read Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook full letter here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter/three-rivers-district-council-local-plan-holding-direction-letter

Read Independent District Councillor Rue Grewal’s response here:
https://rickmansworthresidents.org/2026/02/why-ive-written-to-the-minister-and-why-im-not-giving-up/

By R.D.R.A., ago

Thank you for signing our petitions. RDRA to speak at Council meeting on 11th March.

When the RDRA Committee attended the last few Sunday Markets, we asked residents to sign our two RDRA petitions – one for the opening of the Woodland Path (flooded in March 2024 and closed ever since) and the other for the opening of Ebury Play Area (blighted by Japanese Knotweed and closed since January 2025).

We have now submitted these petitions so that the Council knows the strength of feeling in Rickmansworth & its districts for these two wonderful places and that we all demand they take swift action and open them as soon as possible.

If you didn’t manage to sign our RDRA petitions, then please let your local Councillor know what you think about these closures: https://www.threerivers.gov.uk/councillors

The RDRA hopes to be given 3 minutes to speak about the Ebury Play Area petition at the next Climate Change & Leisure Committee meeting on 11 March 2026, 7.30pm (arrive from 7pm) to be held in the Penn Chamber, Three Rivers House, Northway, Rickmansworth, WD3 1RL – if you are free and able, then please attend to add weight to our cause! Note, this meeting does not allow open questions or comments, unless you submit in writing 8 days before the Agenda is posted to committeeteam@threerivers.gov.uk.

By R.D.R.A., ago

Selfish parking

Message received 2nd February – via email.

My husband and I along with many friends who live in the area have become increasingly concerned about parking on pavements and grass verges. I contacted the TRDC and shared a series of photos to show how these disrespectful drivers are creating so much trouble for disabled and vulnerable people.

We have witnessed pedestrians having to walk in the road to pass vehicles encroaching on the footpath!

We are fortunate to have the enjoyment of grass verges many maintained by residents. Yet drivers who don’t live here seem to think it’s acceptable to destroy council property!

I would like to see the council walk round the roads and try to combat such selfish behaviour.

RDRA response:

Many thanks for your email regarding the pavement parking issue.

This is illegal in England and Scotland , Cllr Mike Sims has taken up on the residents behalf for TRDC to apply the highway code as per the Highway Code:

Rule 244

ou MUST NOT park partially or wholly on the pavement in London or Scotland. Exceptions are allowed in limited circumstances. You should not park partially or wholly on the pavement elsewhere unless signs permit it. Parking on the pavement can obstruct and seriously inconvenience pedestrians, people in wheelchairs or with visual impairments and people with prams or pushchairs.

Law GL(GP)A sect 15 & T(Scot)A part 6

By R.D.R.A., ago

100+ Club presentations

By joining the RDRA 100+ Club, you’re essentially donating to charities and help with RDRA costs which are minimal as we are all volunteers, looking out for the best interests of Rickmansworth and its districts.

In case you missed it, last month we published our latest 2025 Q4 winners and charity donation. Membership Secretary Anne caught up with two of our winners to give them their winnings – Doreen and Sheila are pictured below. Thank you to Zoe and Sheila for donating their winnings back into the pot!

Anne visited Iris Bangs at the Mill End Food Bank to give their donation, also pictured below.

2nd prize: Doreen Whitehead (on left) with Anne
3rd prize: Sheila Denham
Iris Bangs from Mill End Food Bank and Anne
Iris Bangs (on left) from Mill End Food Bank with Anne

1st prize winner Zoe Dejahang not pictured.

Click here to join the RDRA 100+ Club!

By R.D.R.A., ago
Report Fraud

Report Fraud service video

To help raise awareness of the Report Fraud service for reporting cyber crime and fraud, advertising campaigns will run across radio and social channels, featuring the service’s message, ‘Every Report Counts’.

Please watch their film on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CpZRbpNxCOM

For more information: Report Fraud launches | City of London Police.

To report cyber crime and fraud: UK’s Home for Reporting Cyber Crime & Fraud – Report Fraud.

By R.D.R.A., ago

New online portal launched to help locate vulnerable missing people in Hertfordshire

Hertfordshire Constabulary has adopted Safe and Found Online, a new portal to help quickly locate vulnerable missing people.

Launched on 16th January, the initiative will provide vital support for veterans and individuals living with dementia.

The constabulary is urging family members, friends and carers of those at risk of going missing to register key information about them. This information, stored securely online, can save crucial time in developing a search plan should someone go missing.

The digital forms follow the nationally recognised Herbert Protocol and Forcer Protocol:

  • Herbert Protocol: A UK-wide scheme aimed at reducing harm to people living with dementia by enabling swift access to essential details that help police locate them quickly.
  • Forcer Protocol: Designed to protect service veterans, active military personnel and reservists who go missing. Named in memory of Lance Corporal Alan Forcer, who tragically took his own life after struggling with PTSD and depression following military service.

Through the new portal, officers can instantly access personal details submitted by individuals or their carers, ensuring searches can begin without delay.

Former military personnel may face challenges reintegrating into civilian life, and if they go missing while vulnerable, rapid access to accurate information can be lifesaving. Similarly, for those living with dementia, up-to-date profiles including recent photographs and descriptions are critical for identification.

Safe and Found Online, the free secure platform behind the initiative, is fully GDPR compliant and uses two-way factor authentication. Carers, family and individuals can update profiles anytime, replacing outdated paper forms with a convenient digital solution.

To register for free, visit Safe and Found Online.

To report someone as missing, you can do this online at herts.police.uk/report, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat at herts.police.uk/contact or call 999.

By R.D.R.A., ago
Rickmansworth Valentine's Indoor Market

Valentine’s Market in St Mary’s Church, 8th Feb at 10:30am-2:30pm – come along!

Batchworth  Community Council are putting on a lovely indoor market on Sunday 8th Feb 10:30am – 2:30pm at St Mary’s Church, Rickmansworth. All welcome.

The event is free to attend and there will be lots of lovely local stalls, our community PCSO and an information stall please do pop along and support this local community event.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17nkzoj4wW

Download flyer here

By R.D.R.A., ago
Rickmansworth Valentine's Indoor Market

Valentine’s Market on Sunday 8th February at St Mary’s Church

Batchworth  Community Council are putting on a lovely indoor market on Sunday 8th Feb 10:30am – 2:30pm at St Mary’s Church, Rickmansworth. All welcome.

The event is free to attend and there will be lots of lovely local stalls, our community PCSO and an information stall please do pop along and support this local community event.

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/17nkzoj4wW

Download flyer here

By R.D.R.A., ago