Campaigners and councillors say there is still "loads more to do" following a public meeting on the impact of traffic and industry around Hitchin Industrial Estate.

The meeting on 24 April was hosted by Ian Albert and Alistair Strathern MP, where residents heard details of a Health Impact Assessment, including early survey findings and monitoring results.

Bill Wilderlich thanked both representatives for organising the meeting and sharing the findings, but said local people still had major concerns.

He said the report did not sufficiently address the "core issue" of heavy goods vehicle traffic linked to metal waste operations using residential roads, and focused too heavily on the industrial estate in isolation.

Mr Wilderlich added that councils had also acknowledged they failed to properly consider public objections when reviewing and expanding waste load permits at the site.

He welcomed continued monitoring, saying concerns remained over out-of-hours HGV movements, speeding, and the impact on roads and pedestrians.

He also said air quality monitoring had taken place during a quieter period over Christmas and during January road closures linked to Cadent gas works, but welcomed plans for testing to continue.

Councillor Ian Albert said the report was intended to assess the industrial estate and surrounding area, particularly after scrap metal fires, while also gathering evidence on air quality and lorry traffic.

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He said figures showing around one lorry every two minutes on Grove Road highlighted the scale of the issue for nearby residents.

Cllr Albert welcomed improved fire prevention measures at scrap metal sites, including CCTV, heat-seeking cameras and secure storage, but said Environment Agency compliance reports suggested more work was needed on issues such as noise control.

He also said long-term ambitions remained in place, including finding alternative sites for scrap metal recycling and creating a relief road to the industrial estate.

Cllr Albert criticised Hertfordshire County Council and North Herts Council for failing to consult residents and councillors over a previous increase in permitted waste tonnage, calling it "completely unacceptable".

He added that further measures being pushed for include extra crossing points, safer pavements, improved access under the Grove Road railway bridge, 20mph limits, and action on overnight lorry parking and early morning arrivals.

He said: "The Health Impact Assessment gives us a starting point and evidence base for the future. The challenge is now on policy makers to deliver these improvements."