A405 lay-by could shut because of 'foul' behaviour by drivers

The parking spot on the A405 near Woodside Leisure Park is said to have been plaguing people who live nearby for years.

Tim Williams, who is a county councillor for the area, says issues include drug dealing, flytipping, litter and people using it to stop and urinate - and sometimes defecate - in a nearby wooded area.

He also says noise keeps residents awake at night including idling, refrigeration lorries, people carrying out repairs and shouting.

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This lay-by could be replaced by a grass verge preventing vehicles from being able to stop. Credit: Cllr Tim Williams

Last year, Cllr Williams was inundated with letters and emails from residents “fed up” about the “foul and disgraceful” behaviour, which he reported to Hertfordshire County Council, with many urging the lay-by to close.

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The red line is where the lay-by is. Many of the complaints have come from people living in Lamb Close. Credit: Google Maps

The proposal is to turn it into a grass verge to prevent vehicles from stopping there.

A formal consultation was held by the council a few weeks ago and the results are expected to be published soon.

The plans will need to go through a legal process to be formally agreed but Cllr Williams is hopeful the lay-by will be converted into a grass verge sometime next year.

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