Man stands in bus lane blocking cars near A41 roundabout

The stretch, which is only meant for buses and sometimes illegally used, is accessed off Leggatts Way/North Western Avenue and leads to the A41-A405 roundabout.

Paul Groves has been in contact with a local councillor for two years but to little effect – so he recently donned a high-vis jacket and started physically blocking drivers instead.

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The move attracted verbal abuse and on one occasion resulted in him being clipped by someone’s wing mirror.

Mr Groves, 58, said: “I allow the busses, minibuses and taxis through.

“Any personal vehicles that I see I stop and ask them to return. I explain to them that it’s a bus lane.

“I’ve been verbally abused, sworn at, struck by a car as it sped past me – it’s ridiculous.”

Paul Groves has been trying to stop motorists using a bus lane. Picture Paul Groves

He was also left “demoralised” after police warned the father-of-five he could be arrested for obstruction if he continued.

Mr Groves added: “I explained to them I wasn’t in the road I was in a bus lane – an unadopted highway.

“It’s total frustration. I don’t want to come home at night, or any time of the day, and see a child dead on the floor.”

A spokesperson for Hertfs police said: “We cannot comment specifically on whether an individual would be arrested for obstructing a road, as this would depend on a number of factors, including the circumstances of a specific incident.” 

The water technician, who has lived nearby for 26 years, said he will stop physically blocking cars but will keep standing nearby asking motorists not to use the lane.

Paul Groves is wearing his high-vis suit while standing near the bus lane. Picture: Paul Groves

County councillor Asif Khan, who Mr Groves has been in contact with, said he shares people's concerns.

“I have been working for several years with the police and the county council to ensure that the bus lane is used properly,” he added.

“Car drivers must follow the rules.”

Cllr Khan said he is following up with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) to see when an automatic number plate recognition camera will be installed.  

After being approached by the Watford Observer, a county council spokesperson said the council intends to consult residents on plans to install cameras next year.

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