Council officers visit Woodmere Avenue width restriction

Stephen Cavinder met with Hertfordshire County Council officers and residents in Woodmere Avenue on September 21.

The meeting was arranged after Cllr Cavinder became concerned about the number of drivers striking posts that make up the restriction.

In recent weeks, there has been a spate of crashes involving car drivers, van drivers, and even a police officer - incidents are being caught on a doorbell camera and show crashes are happening involving drivers travelling at both low and inappropriate speed.

On some occasions, the vehicle has been written off or required recovery.

This Volvo suffered significant damage to its wheel although doorbell footage shows the vehicle had been travelling at speed

The issue has prompted calls from residents in Woodmere Avenue to scrap the width restriction and put in other measures to deter large vehicles from using the street like cameras.

Watford's MP Dean Russell has called for "urgent changes" while Cllr Cavinder says the scheme in its current form "doesn't work".

During the meeting in Woodmere Avenue last month, which lasted around 90 minutes, council officers observed drivers navigating the width restriction or illegally passing through the bus lane in the middle.

Drivers regularly pass through the prohibited bus lane rather than tackle the width restriction

Cllr Cavinder says he is aware - but did not see - that while officers were present, a driver travelling down Woodmere Avenue from the A41 scraped their hire vehicle on one of the posts, although they were able to drive away.

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Cavinder said: "During that meeting several residents joined us and I am thankful for the comments and concerns which they raised. I believe that there is now a recognition that something needs to be done and those officers who attended have gone away to reflect and consider what options are possible. I am expecting an update from them shortly.

"I understand the frustrations and concerns experienced by residents and other frequent road users. While I will continue to work towards a resolution, I can’t guarantee what or when that might be.

"Please be assured though that with the support of the mayor and your local Liberal Democrat Councillors, I will keep pressing for a solution to this very concerning issue."

This police van was flung into the air and suffered damage to one of its wheels after the driver struck the posts in September

Among the residents to join officers and Cllr Cavinder were Tim and Tracy Vigor, whose home is directly outside the width restriction.

They believe a curve in the road and kerb from the direction of the A41 plays a huge part in why drivers strike the first left post and subsequently hit one or more of the five other posts.

The Vigor's believe the lining of the kerb means drivers aren't lined up properly when approaching the width restriction. Pictured are battered posts that have been struck by vehicles (Image: UGC)

The Vigor's, who say the posts are hit everyday, are among those calling for the width restriction to be taken away altogether and replaced with cameras, or have a width restriction similar to that of in nearby Tudor Avenue.

Shortly before the meeting took place on September 21, the Observer received some responses from the county council after a series of questions were posed about the Woodmere Avenue width restriction.

Although the council recognised some residents are "unhappy" with the restriction, a spokesperson said it had "reviewed and improved the white lines and signage" to make sure drivers are "well aware" of the upcoming restriction.

Damage sustained to two vehicles that have hit the width restriction recently

The spokesperson said the restriction in Woodmere Avenue is "slightly different" to the one in Tudor Avenue because of concerns about "bollards taking up space" on the "narrow pavement" in Woodmere Avenue.

Tudor Avenue width restriction

The spokesperson added: "The location does not meet the criteria for inclusion in our safety engineering programme, and drivers do have to take responsibility for knowing the width of their vehicle and navigating the restriction at a safe speed.

"Officers continue to liaise with stakeholders to consider options and the reported issues at this location."

It is important to stress the above comments were made before the site visit by council officers on the 21st.

A Freedom of Information request by the Observer revealed last month the council only had official records of four crashes taking place at the Woodmere Avenue width restriction since 2016.

A council spokesperson explained its data is provided by police, based on a long-standing national reporting standard, which only includes crashes that involved injury.