The head of an Abbots Langley neighbourhood group is celebrating after new fencing and posting were put in place to deter “ignorant motorists”.

In January, Peter Scott, chairman of Hillside Residents’ Association, contacted the Watford Observer to blast drivers for turning the village’s green in to an “unsightly boggy marsh”.

Motorists had been parking their cars on the green in School Mead, just outside the association’s office, and ruining the grass.

According to Mr Scott, cars parked haphazardly along the grass every day, particularly from 8.30am to 9am and 2.45pm to 3.30pm, school pick-up and drop-off times. It was also bad, he said, when evening classes were held at Tanners Wood Hall.

Mr Scott, 71, claimed the “ignorance” of the drivers was not only destroying the appearance of the area, but putting the association’s plans to host a Jubilee fun day on the green in jeopardy.

But thanks to Watford Community Housing Trust and Hertfordshire Highways, posts and rails costing £1,534 have been installed to deter drivers from parking on the green.

Mr Scott, of School Mead, said: “We’re over the moon. Already the area is looking better thanks to these post and railings. They were installed a couple of weeks ago and it has made a difference. Mud is not being spattered everywhere and the grass is not such a state.

“As a result of the Watford Observer story, the hard work of Watford Community Housing Trust and Hertfordshire Highways, the green will be restored.

“It will complement the refurbishment of Tanners Wood Hall and our revamped association offices. I can’t wait until our Queen’s Jubilee celebrations - with the green intact, they will be in full swing.”

Susannah Brunert, from Watford Community Housing Trust, said: “We were pleased to put in the railings to protect the Hillside green. It is important to us to make sure that our green spaces are there for everyone’s use and enjoyment and to respond to our residents’ concerns.”