Pedestrians are "dicing with death" in crossing the Dome Roundabout since improvement works to add cycle lanes have required the traffic lights to be switched off.

Hertfordshire County Council has installed alternative crossing points for pedestrians while the work to provide additional cycle lanes and change the traffic lights to include a phase for cyclists is carried out.

But residents say pedestrian movement has been "totally destroyed" and that people on foot are risking their lives in crossing at the barriers, rather than use the temporary alternatives, which are too far away.

Ian Hooker regularly uses the roundabout as a pedestrian.

He said: "This work is a total waste of money and has totally destroyed any pedestrian movement around the roundabout.

"Hertfordshire County Council say that alternative crossings have been provided. Not on the north-east bound St Albans Road, nor the south-east bound A41.

"They have blocked off the north-east bound crossing on St Albans Road, expecting people to go over 150 yards to the crossing just before Leggatts Wood Avenue - not by the fire station as claimed.

"Pedestrians won't do this. They will dice with death crossing at the end of the barriers - just 32 yards - as I did this morning.

"I am pretty well forced to dice with death or use my car now - adding to congestion and costing me money."

Mr Hooker said there are more pedestrians than cyclists using the roundabout and they should take priority.

He continued: "The few bikes that use the Dome now all use the pavements anyway. So the changes are not going to improve bike safety. The changes make the pavements wider so the cyclists feel they can go faster - and significantly increase the risk to pedestrians.

"When will they realise pedestrians are more important than bikes - if only because there are many more of them. Madness."

Frustrated pedestrians have also taken to social media to voice their concerns about the improvement works.

One mum-to-be commented: "I can't believe there is no crossings at the Dome Roundabout, I am heavily pregnant trying to get to the Garston medical centre and there is no way for people to cross over.

"Stood there for 20 minutes for cars to stop but no one did so ended up calling a taxi to come get me."

But many motorists have found the absence of traffic lights at the Dome has dramatically reduced traffic congestion around the area.

The debate has prompted Watford MP Richard Harrington to ask for people’s views.

Mr Harrington said: "I'm keen to hear people's views on the roadworks at the Dome Roundabout. Some people have been in touch to say that they find it much better and that there is less traffic. What do you think?"