A road is set to open sooner than expected after concerns were raised about the amount of traffic delays the closure is causing.

Dagger Lane, off the A41 near Elstree, shut for five months in July to allow Affinity Water to undergo utility works.

The water supplier was granted a permit by Hertfordshire County Council for a closure meaning there is no through access for drivers from one end of the road to the other.

Since schools returned, the closure has severely impacted the local road network, especially during the morning rush hour with roads in Elstree and Bushey particularly affected.

Local county councillor Caroline Clapper says she has been in touch with Affinity Water and the county council to try and get the works completed sooner.

Following talks, she says Affinity Water is now working towards a completion date of October, which is two months ahead of what was planned.

In an update to residents on social media, Cllr Clapper wrote: “As some of you may have been aware, despite representations from myself and lobbying from our local MP Oliver Dowden, the utility works in Dagger Lane have been proceeding with a finish date intended in December.

"As predicted, this has caused traffic chaos in the surrounding area.

"I have been continually speaking to the county council about this as well as the utility company itself, and further to discussions, I’m happy to report that they have now agreed to bring forward completion of works to October 17."

The Conservative councillor, who represents residents at borough and/or county level in Radlett and Elstree, added: "Whilst the next few weeks will still be difficult, at least there is now a much shorter end in sight."