A businessman has called for a car park which is being used as a dumping ground for cars and rubbish to be cleared.

Chris Hedger, a director at Hire Technology Group next to the Bushey Arches, says he is “embarrassed” to invite clients to his office because of the car park, which he describes as an “eyesore”.

Mr Hedger says people have been dumping cars in the area on Chalk Hill since the summer and despite numerous complaints to Watford Borough Council, it has only got worse.

He said: “It’s a disgusting mess. If it was my business, we’d be told to clear it up.

“I think the council should want it to look reasonably nice.”

Mr Hedger says the space used to be a nice little free car park but it’s been left to be “badly abused”.

He says the area is strewn with cars, tyres, baskets, trollies and weeds. He also says that the adverts haven’t changed for months because it’s “impossible” to reach them.

He added: “I’ve been backwards and forwards with the council but they don’t seem to want to do anything about it.

“When people come round, we have to apologise for the state of the car park at the entrance to our service road. I just want it cleaned up.

“We even had some guys sleeping in a van for around a month but they’ve gone now.

“Maybe there should be a ticket machine put in to stop people dumping these cars.”

Justine Hoy, head of environmental health and licensing at Watford Borough Council, said: “The council is aware of the issues on this land.

“We believe that a business may be using the area to store vehicles and we are considering what action can be taken. Six of the vehicles that have been left on this site have no tax or MOT. We are processing their removal, which takes a little time due to the legal process that must be followed.

“Once the vehicles are removed the site will be thoroughly tided up and cleaned. We anticipate this being within two to three weeks.

"The council is looking at the future use of this area to ensure it adds value to the locality and community.”