An experimental one-way scheme has caused traffic chaos in West Watford.

Buses, commuters, schools and surgeries have been thrown into disarray after Hertfordshire County Council launched a trial one-way system for a stretch of Vicarage Road this week.

Those caught in the mayhem said they could "imagine someone getting killed" with drivers doing three point turns outside Laurance Haines Primary School and emergency vehicles getting stuck in the gridlock.

A Holywell Primary School teacher said 70 children were late on Tuesday, meanwhile parents of children at Laurance Haines were seen directing traffic.

The practice manager at Holywell Surgery, in Tolpits Lane, said a third of patients were late to their appointments causing knock on problems throughout the day.

She said if the county council persist in continuing the trial, the surgery might have to redesign it's morning sessions.

The county council held an emergency meeting as numerous people, Watford councillors and organisations had raised concerns about the scheme.

Ceara Keane, from Holywell Surgery, said: "The implication of the scheme on Monday morning was that it took the doctor working here that morning an hour to get to work - the journey would usually take 20 minutes.

"We had informed our staff and local residents about the changes, but we didn't realise quite how much the traffic would increase.

"On Tuesday, a third of our patients were late to appointments, which had a knock on effect for the rest of the day.

"The local Holywell community group voiced concerns this would happen back in June. There are only two ways to leave the Holywell estate - via Tolpits Lane or Vicarage Road. Now, with the new one-way system, should there be a major incident, for example, in Tolpits Lane they won't be able to get off the estate.

"Tolpits Lane is the main route to Rickmansworth, Mount Vernon Hospital and Harefield Hospital - the increased traffic will impact on services.

"If this continues, we will have to look at redesigning how we do things in the morning here in the surgery - if patients cannot get to their appointments.

"We cannot continue as we have been for the last couple of days."

Drivers have complained that the signage for the new system is inadequate and provides no prior warning of the changes.

Richard Norwood, of Chorleywood, was stuck in the gridlock in Vicarage Road on Monday going to work in Tolpits Lane.

He said: "There's no warning with the signage until you're right on top of it at the point of no return. It's not ideal, it's created many more problems than it solves.

"I got caught in it, being unaware it was happening. It's an absolutely diabolical idea. I don't know what they're doing.

"Cars were going through the no entry sign. Irate mothers were wearing high visibility jackets trying to act like police and stand in the way of cars going through the no entry signs - it was terribly dangerous.

"If you don't know there's a no entry, the only place to try and turn around is in a small dead end road which was slowing the traffic even more.

"Ambulances were struggling to get out the hospital.

"This morning it took me an hour to get to work in Tolpits Lane, all these changes and the traffic added a good 40 minutes to my journey time - and I can't see the point of it.

"I can imagine somebody getting killed, either by a car turning around near the school or an ambulance not getting out. It was absolute gridlock."

Cllr for Holywell, Nigel Bell, said he contacted the county council.

He said: "I warned them total chaos was coming. I am trying to encourage as many residents as possible to take their concerns to the county council."

Hertfordshire County Council said it would continue to monitor the situation.

Terry Douris, cabinet member for Highways, said: "Following two public consultations on proposed pedestrian improvements along part of Vicarage Road in Watford, the trial of the one-way traffic arrangement began this week.

"We are aware of initial concerns about the impact on the surrounding road network and appreciate the patience of road users whilst everyone gets used to the system on trial.

"Officers from the county council are on site monitoring the traffic and will continue to do so. Additional signage is also being put in place.

"By conducting this trial we will be able to assess the impact on traffic during peak periods and make an informed decision on whether the permanent scheme should be taken forward or whether we need to look at a different solution.

"The proposed permanent scheme would include a pedestrian crossing and wider pavement, made possible through introduction of the one-way operation, and would help improve safety around the school."

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