A water company could face a fine after setting up temporary traffic lights in Rickmansworth without the correct permits.

Temporary lights were set up in Park Road, at the bottom of Scots Hill and witnesses say there were tailbacks at all hours.

But Affinity Water rushed to fix a burst water main on Friday morning but didn’t have the right permit to put traffic lights up and could now face a fine.

They have since apologised for the traffic disruption and removed the lights on Monday afternoon.

Neighbours and motorists were left frustrated because there were huge tailbacks heading into Rickmansworth during rush-hour on Monday morning.

Raymond Freed, of Old Barn Lane in Croxley Green, said: “The traffic was tailed back to Sarratt Road, right past The Green and coming from the other direction, traffic was tailing back into Watford.

“They left the work over the weekend and the traffic was horrendous.

“I have spoken to Hertfordshire County Council and this work was apparently done illegally and Affinity Water are the company who are doing it. They didn’t get a permit and they will be fined.

“They have been told they need to clear it away by 3pm today [Monday]”.

Spokesman for Hertfordshire County Council Tom Shipp said: “Essentially, all of the information will be presented to Affinity so they have the opportunity to respond.

“A fine is certainly possible.”

Catherine Quinn, of Park Road, said on Monday: “It was awful trying to get down the hill [Scots Hill]. When I have been to Watford, I came back via Tolpits Lane.

“Even when I go bed to, there are still cars queuing up at the lights late at night. I have not seen anyone working there.

“The lights did not seem to be green for very long at all. Some cars got through and then the lights seemed to go red again pretty soon after.”

An Affinity Water spokesperson said: “We are sorry for any inconvenience caused by a burst on a 4inch main in Park Road, Rickmansworth on Friday 2 October.

“As this was an emergency, outside of standard office hours, we commenced with emergency repairs that day, which is standard procedure. A permit for this work has since been raised.

“Traffic management was put in place to ensure the safety of commuters and our technicians working to make the necessary repairs.

“Our technicians repaired the main on Friday, the reinstatement of the road has been completed and the temporary traffic lights will be removed by Monday evening.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst we carried out these vital repairs.”