Repairs to a "sinkhole" outside Watford General Hospital have been slammed after the trust said it "will likely be fixed this spring".

Last August patients reported seeing the hazard had opened up outside the main entrance and at the end of January a picture showed the site still a “mess”.

The two metre long and half a metre deep hole, termed a subsidence by West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was cordoned off and surrounded by opaque fencing while workmen began repairs.

Watford Observer: The subsidence when it opened up in AugustThe subsidence when it opened up in August (Image: Jackie Ringland)

New Hospital Campaign coordinator Phillip Aylett slammed the “shambles at the heart of Watford General”.

He said: “Nothing much seems to have happened in nearly six months.

“It’s surprising because its causing huge difficulty and affecting people who drop people off by the entrance."

After the picture was posted on Facebook, commenters described the delay as “bloody ridiculous” and “disgraceful”, with one person saying finding somewhere to drop off a disabled patient was “an absolute nightmare”.

A trust spokesperson said: “We anticipate that repairs to the road caused by subsidence will begin shortly and will likely be complete this spring.

"The burst pipe has been repaired, the hole has been filled and there is no sign of further subsidence."

The trust explained that it had been important for a groundwork specialist to fully investigate the surrounding area first.

It added that it now has a detailed design and specification so that it can restore and reopen the road for patients.

Watford Observer: The subsidence outside the main entrance to Watford General HospitalThe subsidence outside the main entrance to Watford General Hospital (Image: Philip Aylett)

“We are sorry for any inconvenience to patients and visitors,” the spokesperson added.

They said that access to disabled parking and drop off and collection points is available via a diversion. Patients can also continue to access the hospital via Thomas Sawyer Way.

Mr Aylett said it was “understandable” that investigations needed to take place first, but still slammed the wait.

"That area is vital to the running of the hospital," he added.

"People are still having to hop out of a car at the Vicarage Road entrance."

“I can understand them being thorough but why it is taking so long I don’t know.”