Liberal Democrats have expressed concern about the plans of the Olympic Development Authority to use the Hertfordshire Showground near Redbourn as a car park for next year’s Games. The facility would operate on a park and ride basis.

Chris White, who raised the issue at this week’s full council meeting, said: ‘It is doubtful whether the authorities should be encouraging people to drive down down motorways rather than using the train – the Olympic and Paralympic event in 2012 has one of the best railway networks ever and people should be using public transport.

‘Even if people are going to be coming by car – what happens after they arrive? Are they going to be bussed to local railway stations like St Albans – thus congesting an already hopelessly congested road network? I fear the worst given First Capital Connect’s apparent enthusiasm for the scheme.”

Chris added: ‘We clearly need some answers. So far the local authorities have largely been kept in the dark.’