THE future of a disputed park and ride scheme remains confused, with no concrete funding proposals in position and no place for the project in vital transport plans.

The still hypothetical nature of the idea to develop the site off Stephenson Way, Bushey, was underlined this week by the man behind the project at Capital Shopping Centres (CSC).

Responding to the question of whether real money was ready to foot the bill, Mr Michael Stevens, chairman of the CSC run Harlequin Shopping Centre, said: "The straight answer is no".

But he dismissed claims this was a major stumbling block.

He said: "We haven't gone into this with blind eyes."

Mr Stevens said there was no need to worry about financial details until after planning permission is granted.

Once this happens, CSC will attempt to secure Government money set aside for park and ride.

A spokesman at the Department of Transport Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) confirmed there was cash available but it has to be channeled through the local transport authority.

In this case it is Hertfordshire County Council, which would have to back the park and ride plans.

Unless they are included in the Local Transport Plan (LTP), Government cash cannot be used.

According to a spokesman at County Hall, park and ride is not included in the present LTP.

He said: "The proposed scheme is not being promoted by the County Council but as a private sector scheme."

However the CSC planning proposal is being assessed, he said.

The apparant uncertainty is providing a lifeline of hope for those opposed to the scheme, including the Green Party's Watford mayoral candidate, Mr Steve Rackett.

Armed with a new academic study, he called for it to be scrapped because on environmental grounds.

Bushey Liberal Democrats have also vowed to carry on fighting the plan.

Despite the opposition and the funding questions, Mr Stevens said he was "confident" park and ride would happen.

CSC is prepared to part fund the system if necessary.

Hertsmere Borough Council, the planning authority for Bushey, is still in the early stages of considering CSC's applications.

Although the plans have not had the go ahead, it is expected they will be passed after a Government planning inspector backed the scheme.