Residents were left fuming after planned roadworks were cancelled for the second time – with no warning or explanation given.

Starting on Friday, resurfacing work was set to close Brighton Road in North Watford for up to five days.

Residents were apparently sent letters just 24 hours beforehand informing them that they had to move their cars.

However the work was not carried out as planned, with information signs posted around the area either marked “postponed” or removed entirely.

The work was initially scheduled to take place in April last year but was delayed because, according to Cllr Asif Khan, Affinity Water needed to replace lead piping before it could go ahead.

Cllr Khan, who represents the area, said: “I am aghast at the lack of planning and just feel like there is complete incompetence in the way Herts County Council has failed to resurface Brighton Road in North Watford, yet again. 

“When they turned up, they simply wrote ‘postponed’ on the yellow sign and that seems to be the end of it. 

“I am still awaiting a response from highways as to why this work had not be done as scheduled, and also ensure that it is done soon and in a competent manner. It just beggars belief.

“As a newly elected county councillor, I'm totally annoyed about the way this has been handled, with no communication with me that the work will not go ahead. I could have at least communicated that to the disappointed residents.”

Watford Observer:

Deputy mayor Peter Taylor also said a number of residents had raised the issue of “shambolic” road resurfacing with him.

Hertfordshire County Council said: "We understand the concerns of local residents and we are sorry for any inconvenience caused.

"Sandringham Road and Brighton Road were set to be micro-surfaced between August 11 and 17. 

"Unfortunately our contractors made a mistake and marked the wrong section of road with advanced warning boards and also failed to send letters to residents two weeks prior to the works. We have spoken to the contractors about this error and would like to apologise to residents on their behalf.

"When the new dates for the works are confirmed, residents will be notified."