A housing organisation has failed to confirm if it will make the necessary changes to a temporary car park for it to be opened.

For months a question mark has loomed over the opening of the Meriden estate’s car park after people complained drivers were illegally parking outside the shops on York Way.

Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) said it will only remove its objection to opening it once Watford Community Housing, which is responsible for the site, addresses several issues.

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A spokesperson said: “We want to make sure that vehicles going in and out of the site have enough visibility to see traffic using The Turnstones coming, and enough turning space to avoid parked cars and other road users.

“As soon as these issues are resolved, we will withdraw our objection and recommend that Watford Borough Council approves the plan.”

The spokesperson added: “We’re working with the developer to make sure that construction traffic at the car park site is well managed and that the impact on local roads in minimised.”

A WCH spokesperson said: “We are currently awaiting approval of our application to Hertfordshire County Council for a crossover from the road.

“Whilst we understand residents’ frustrations, we are not legally allowed to open the car park until we have this approval.

“We will provide a further update to local residents once we know more.”

When the Watford Observer asked WCH if the issues outlined by the council will be fixed and by when, WCH said it had nothing further to add.  

Watford Observer: Left, bays were in place outside the old shops. Picture: Google Street View. Right, people are parking on the street. Picture: NewsquestLeft, bays were in place outside the old shops. Picture: Google Street View. Right, people are parking on the street. Picture: Newsquest

In addition, WCH did not answer a question about an opening date for the permanent car park.

The temporary car park was put in place as part of the Meriden’s regeneration project, which started in 2018.

Prior to the scheme, car parking was available outside the row of shops in The Gossamers that have now been demolished.

New shops have been built in York Way, without parking spaces outside,which has led to drivers parking on the pavement illegally.

One person who lived in the Meriden branded the parking outside the shops as “dreadful”.  

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