ONE man's mission to reduce traffic on St Albans Road has prompted Hertfordshire County Council to devise a Signing Strategy designed to get motorists off residential highways.

Mr Nic Fergusson, 45, who lives on the corner of St Albans Road and Garston Drive in Garston, realised that there was a simple explanation to the number of lorries and commuters driving past his home each day.

His argument was that existing signs are wrong or do not exist at all, confusing drivers unfamiliar with Watford's roads.

His investigations have helped the county council put together a bid to the Government for £200,000 to improve signposts and the information they provide in and around Watford.

The bid, which should be submitted this week, asks for £125,000 in the scheme's first year 2001 - 2002 and £75,000 in 2002 - 2003.

Confirmation of whether the bid has been successful will be announced in December.

Mr Fergusson said: 'The main issue is the traffic coming from the north down the A405.

'People think this is the quickest way into Watford, when in fact it is down the dual carriageways and motorways.'

Cars travelling south along the M1 and or leaving the M25 at junction 21a are directed off the motorway to north Watford and Watford via the A405 and A412.

By remaining on the M1 or being directed onto it traffic can avoid St Albans Road and leave the motorway at junction 5 instead and use the A4008 from the Berrygrove roundabout to access Watford town centre, The Harlequin shopping centre and Tesco.

This route, Mr Fergusson suggested, with the addition of new signposts could also direct lorries to the industrial estates and retail parks in and around Watford including those in Colonial Way and Imperial Way.

In addition lorries could also be directed off the Berrygrove roundabout north up the A41 to Asda, Odhams and Sainsbury's, carrying on up the A41 to the A405 North Orbital Road to access the M1 or M25 for their return journey.

Having compiled these proposals Mr Fergusson contacted Hertfordshire County Council and began working with Mr Nick Gough a project engineer in its environmental development department.

Speaking this week Mr Gough said: 'It has been very helpful working with Mr Fergusson.

'He has helped us clarify our thoughts and done the leg work for us.'