Vivienne Windle was Chairman of the Vital Villages Working Group. Every Household in the village was given a copy of the questionnaire and a good cross-section of age, sex, type of house, and occupation participated. Market research professionals described the return rate as "very good"

This is a summary of the Vital Village Survey. In places the numbers have been rounded and not all information is presented here.

If you live in the village and a copy of the survey was not delivered to you please contact the Parish Clerk.

The survey lists Parish, Local and Herts Conty Council Councillors and the local MP (these are on this site on the ParishCouncil pages. The functions of the Parish Council are also listed. Village organisations also listed. (Many are also listed on the website. See: - Redbourn Clubs And Societies.)

Alan Featherstone contributed some local history notes.

Please note the figures refer to those responding to the survey

The Survey

Household section

The average number of people per household was 2.32. The 25 to 59 age-group provided most responses followed by the 65-74 age band. Nearly 88% of homes were owner occupied. 35% lived in Detatched Houses, around 30% semi-detatched and 20% in terraced houses. The remainder lived in other housing types.

The majority of people had no problems with surface water or storm drainage, flood alleviation seems to have lessened the previous problems.

1 car on average is used for journeys to work or education per household.

Personal section

The 45-59 age group was the largest followed by 24-44 and 65-74. Nearly 40% or residents have lived in Redbourn more than 26 years, 20% 6-15 years and and 15% 16-25 years.

In response to the question “How did you come to live in Redbourn 26% replied “love of village life, 20% “love of country life, 10% born here, 20% work locally, 13 relative nearby, 15% setting up home and 10% retired here.

The most important thing about Redbourn was The Community (40%).

Nearly 50% believe Redbourn needs more homes for young people.

Work

34% are employees, 13% self-employed, 5% in education, 40% retired, permanently sick/disabled 3%.

21% work in Redbourn, 19% St Albans, London 14%, 8% Hemel Hempstead, 6% Harpenden. Other (27%) included Hatfield, Welwyn, Birmingham, Boulton, Kent, Paris, Europe and worldwide.

The majority of respondents use the car as favourite mode of transport, bus and train also rate highly. 8% use the CareGroup.

The bus service is rated as having a reasonable route, reasonable to poor timetable and reasonably reliable. It should be noted that the highest % answer in all categories wa no opinion.

24% would occasionally use a voluntary car service as a passenger. 10% are prepared to take part in a voluntary transport service.

Medical

The vast majority of people never have difficulty getting to a doctor, hospital, Chemist (87%), Chiropodist, optician, dentist or other medical facility(66%). Nearly 3% have problems visiting a doctor or hospital often and 11% hospital occasionally.

92% have no problem collecting prescriptions.

25% are prepared to help with a good neighbour scheme at least occasionally.

Policing and Safety

81% thought there were some danger spots. The main areas were the High Street / Fish Street junction, Hemel Hempstead by-pass Junction, The Cricketers / Lybury Lane junction, Harpenden Lane, Harpenden Lane / Dunstable Road, parking in the High Street. The Parish Council will liaise with Hertfordshire Highways.

Theft, mugging, Vandalism, anti social behaviour concern Redbourn residents most. The Parish Council will make the Police aware of the views of residents.

Alleyways leading to the High Street were where most respondents felt unsafe.

40% would like to see more street lights. 80% would like to see a Greater police presence and 50% more activities for young people.

Services and shopping

Mains gas, water and electricity supply were good or reasonable. 18% thought electrical supply was poor. Tv and radio reception are generally good but are poor for about 18% or residents.

Roads, Pavements and verges are described as reasonable as is street lighting, road sweeping, verge cutting and weed control. Refuse collection and recycling are described as good. Drain Gulley clearance is reasonable to poor. Common maintenance is good.

(Daily and monthly figures not shown in the above table but are in the survey.)

The shopping facilities are described as reasonable.

Sport and Leisure

Golf, Tennis, Cricket, Badminton and football are most popular.

A skateboard park, all weather bowling green and sports pitches have good support.

95% were in agreement of the proposal for the re-development of the youth centre to provide community facilities.

Information & Local Government

85% get information from The Common Round, 41-48% of people get information from Notice boards and shop windows, 31% Post Office, 21% the Library and 7% from this website.

The majority (78%) feel that The Parish Council is either fully or quite aware of local concerns and feelings. 41% thought the District Council was quite aware of local concerns and only 22% for the County Council. 47% thought the County Council was not aware of local concerns and feelings.

Environment and Miscellaneous

86% regard the quality of countryside around Redbourn as very important. The appearance of the Common is described as good with the Nick Line, and Play areas good to reasonable.

Motorway Noise disturbs 87%, (See Also: - Motorway Widening), aircraft noise 45%.

A large majority know where the local footpaths and bridleways are and in general find them well signposted. (See: - Nicky Line, Footpaths Around Redbourn).

58% have visted Redbourn Museum and 71% have seen museum publicity.

45% use the Internet for business purposes and 89% for other purposes. 25% have access to broadband.

Please remember this is a digest version by an individual. Full figures and views are given in the Vital Village document.

See also Redbourn Parish Council