Opinion, Watford Observer, 28 June 2026 Heatwave exposes UK infrastructure failures | Watford Observer
The historic heatwave we've endured should prompt a debate about our approach to making our country's infrastructure fit for the century ahead.
Great attention has rightly been paid to how we play our part in tackling climate change – even if Labour's obsession with net zero is not the answer and is simply costing us jobs and business.
We need, though, to give much more thought to the infrastructure requirements of adapting to more volatile weather conditions.
Our schools, hospitals, transport facilities, and other public buildings are woefully provided with air conditioning, for example.
More air conditioning – not to mention the enormous energy requirements of the new technologies of data storage and AI – will need a considerably greater energy supply.
But we've been so slow in thinking ahead.
It reminds me of the Lib Dems' Nick Clegg's comment in 2010 that nuclear energy was "just not even an answer" to our energy needs as any new power stations wouldn't come "on stream until 2021, 2022".
They'd be operational by now.
I remember a proposal to build a national water grid being suggested in 1976 after another hot period, but it was dismissed as being too long term.
If we'd have started it then, we'd have had it for more than a generation and hosepipe bans would presumably be a thing of the past.
In Watford, we've been the victims of an infrastructure stop/start/cancel culture.
The redevelopment of our hospital was shamefully postponed (indefinitely?) by this Labour government.
And the connection of the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction was spitefully cancelled by Labour London Mayor Sadiq Khan.
Whilst some issues – such as a connection to the current Watford tube station – still needed to be sorted out, if it had gone ahead it would already be serving our residents.
We need a new long-term approach to national infrastructure planning.
Stephen Woodard
Chairman, Watford Conservatives
