A set of traffic lights on Watford's ring road that have been causing delays for months have been re-timed.

A county councillor has confirmed the timings of the lights between the A411 and Lower High Street have been reverted to how they were before the pandemic.

The sequence was altered in spring 2020 after steps were taken to close Watford High Street to drivers to aid with social distancing.

It meant the traffic lights were left for longer on red where the ring road meets Lower High Street, causing queues.

The new timings were particularly affecting drivers travelling from both Waterfields Way and Stephenson Way onto the ring road.

Central Watford county councillor Stephen Giles-Medhurst arranged for an officer from Hertfordshire County Council to come down and witness the issues first hand.

After visiting a couple of weeks ago, the officer agreed the traffic lights needed switching back to how they were before the pandemic.

Related: Council agrees to alter traffic lights on ring road to stop delays

Cllr Giles-Medhurst confirmed today (August 28) this has now been actioned.

He posted on social media: "I am pleased that following my requests, the lights on the ring road by Water Lane and Lower High Street have now been returned to the pre-Covid timings.

"This includes removing the temporary right turn out of the High Street and moving the banksmen to the King Street junction to restrict High Street traffic.

"So far it has improved traffic flow."

Watford Observer: The traffic marshals have been moved further up Watford High Street and are now stationed at King Street. Credit: Stephen DanzigThe traffic marshals have been moved further up Watford High Street and are now stationed at King Street. Credit: Stephen Danzig

Explaining the issue that has been plaguing drivers, particularly since Covid restrictions were eased, the councillor said: "The issue is the lights from Stephenson Way go green but the lights at the junction with Water Lane then go red, so traffic just joins existing traffic.

"But there is already traffic held there because the lights at Lower High Street are also red. Nothing appears to be linked to allow for one of the three junctions to clear totally.

"It takes most vehicles three changes of lights to get through these sets as they do not appear to have any alignment."

The news that the timings would be revised was welcomed by dozens of followers on the Observer's Facebook page.