A mix-up has sparked “alarm” and amusement in Watford as a sign appeared to suggest a road would shut for 363 days.

Villiers Road, in Oxhey, will be closed between 7.30am and 6pm from June 26 to June 28, this year, for micro-surfacing roadworks.

However, a blunder filling in the dates on the sign means it said the work will begin on June 28 and end on June 26, with no year specified — which, with 2024 being a leap year, would actually be 364 days (but who's counting).

In a Twitter post, Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: “Residents in Watford are alarmed that @Herts_Highways are planning to close one road in Oxhey for 363 days…seems excessive.”

Highways thanked the mayor for bringing the error to their attention and a council spokesperson told the Watford Observer it will be rectified “shortly”.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire County Council said: “Obviously the dates on this sign have been put up the wrong way round by mistake.

“We do like to allow ourselves some time for unexpected delays, but we are pleased to confirm that this road closure will not need to be for 363 days as accidentally implied, and is in fact from June 26 to June 28 this year.

“Our highways team will be switching the dates around on the sign shortly.”