A homeowner in Watford, Hertfordshire, is calling for action as drivers repeatedly crash into bollards installed as part of a long-standing width restriction on Woodmere Avenue. The restriction, intended to prevent lorry drivers from using the residential street as a shortcut, has been in place for years.
Despite recent modifications and the installation of an ANPR camera, motorists continue to collide with the bollards. Tim Vigor, a resident of 30 years, has captured numerous incidents on his CCTV and doorbell cameras, showing cars losing mirrors, tires, and even becoming wedged between the barriers. One clip depicts a car rolling over, while another shows a vehicle on its side with a bollard piercing its window.
Vigor claims that for a decade, prior to 2022, the road saw at least two accidents daily. He estimates that vehicle damage over this period could amount to millions of pounds. The bollards themselves have undergone changes over the years, but the width restriction has remained a fixture to deter heavy vehicle traffic.
In 2022, Hertfordshire County Council altered the road layout in an attempt to mitigate the problem. An ANPR system was also introduced in June of the previous year to prevent drivers from circumventing the restriction via a bus lane. However, Vigor reports witnessing two crashes in the last month alone, indicating the issue persists.
He believes the ANPR camera should replace the bollards entirely, issuing tickets to offending drivers instead of relying on the current physical barriers. Vigor stated that he has been informed by MPs that the bollards will not be removed. He also expressed frustration over the lack of consultation regarding the installation of the current bollards, which he feels should have involved residents.
Hertfordshire County Council stated that the number of accidents at the site has decreased significantly since the restrictions were modified and the ANPR camera was installed. The council urges all motorists to adhere to the signage and drive with caution.