Highways officials have revealed their latest ploy to improve the safety of a controversial Watford width restriction – new road markings.

Members of the town’s highways joint member panel this morning requested Hertfordshire County Council look at painting lines on Woodmere Avenue to guide drivers through the narrow posts.

Since it was re-built in February 2010, the restriction has attracted more than 72 complaints to the highways authority.

Emergency services have been called to crashes at the traffic-calming measure on more than 12 occasions and neighbours claim vehicles clip and scrape the steep bollards on a daily basis.

The latest tactic comes as councillors look to find a solution to the problematic road layout despite the council remaining adamant there is no issue with its design.

Chairman of the Watford Highways Joint Member Panel, Councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst, said: “It seems people are coming too fast off the A41 and approaching the width restriction at speed so we think these road markings will help guide drivers through.

“There has been a decline in the number of complaints and the issues have dropped but we feel this is an appropriate measure.”

Hertfordshire Highways representative David Henning said council officers would be looking at the option of road markings in the coming fortnight.

Councillor Derek Scudder, who spoke out against the restriction in November, agreed that the road markings were a good idea.

He said: “Almost all the incidents involve people approaching the restriction from the A41 and there is a sort of optical illusion which prevents you from going through it square.

“Everyone at the panel meeting agreed that this is worth a go and it should give drivers some guidance.”