He had the streets paved, Both of the current cathedrals in Port of Spain have their origins in the churches he had built for the Anglican and Roman Catholic communities.

[4][5] In all, he oversaw the development of Port of Spain into an attractive town; in the words of Henry Coleridge in 1825: Supervising many of the works personally, protected from the sun and on his horse; he became popularly known among the creole as "gouverneur chapeau paille" (Governor straw hat).

[5][7] In addition to the paving of roads, Woodford introduced steam navigation to link Port of Spain with San Fernando and other settlements around the island.

Underlying much of his social policy was a desire to bring order to the newly British colony, but based on a strong class structure.

[11] In contrast to his attitude to slaves and free blacks, he was supportive of the indigenous Amerindians and encouraged their ethnic pride and the revival of their festivals, especially around the town of Arima.