A muddy and “unsafe” Garston underpass has undergone repairs following a campaign by a local councillor.

The Bucknalls Lane underpass received new lighting and graffiti was removed after lobbying by Leavesden councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst.

Hertfordshire County Council gave the tunnel a deep clean with drainage channels and retaining boards fixed.

Watford Observer: Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst at the refurbished tunnel.Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst at the refurbished tunnel. (Image: Stephen Giles-Medhurst)

The surrounding area was also spruced up by removing overgrowth, as well as fitting new surfacing and grips to both sets of steps.

The tunnel was branded “disgraceful” by residents last October due to lighting issues and slippery mud.

It is the only pedestrian link from the Bucknalls Lane area to the High Elms Lane areas and surrounding schools.

Watford Observer: Both sets of steps also received new grips and flooring to prevent slips.Both sets of steps also received new grips and flooring to prevent slips. (Image: Stephen Giles-Medhurst)

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said: “This is a situation where persistence has certainly paid off. 

“The underpass is used by many people every day, including school pupils from St Michael’s and Parmiter’s schools. It is right that they have a clean and safe route. 

“And now the county council has at last added the underpass to its cyclical cleanse regime as it had been missed in the past."

Watford Observer: The tunnel prior to renovations. (Image: Richard Searle))The tunnel prior to renovations. (Image: Richard Searle)) (Image: Richard Searle)

Resident Richard Searle, 71, from Garston, said in October he worried about the lighting and slip hazards, particularly for the children who use it to get to school.