Herts County Council said it has only recorded four crashes in nearly six years at Woodmere Avenue’s controversial width restriction.

The saga over its safety reignited this month after three drivers hit the bollards in four days before a police van ploughed into them soon after. 

A Freedom of Information request has now revealed HCC only has records of four crashes on the stretch in Watford since it began keeping them in 2016.

A HCC spokesperson explained its data is provided by police, based on a long-standing national reporting standard, which only includes crashes that involved injury.

Watford Observer: A stricken car needed a digger to free it on Woodmere Avenue, Watford.A stricken car needed a digger to free it on Woodmere Avenue, Watford.

The Watford Observer asked how people can be confident HCC understands the problem’s scale if it does not know how many crashes are happening.

HCC’s spokesperson said: “We are confident that we understand the scale of injuries at this location, and that is the criteria that matters to us most.

“We are continuing to look at what options might be available.”

Watford’s MP Dean Russell, who previously called for “urgent changes”, said: “I do not think that figure accurately reflects the scale of the problem, the number of drivers impacted will be significantly higher. 

Watford Observer: Damage to one of three cars to hit the restriction in four days. Damage to one of three cars to hit the restriction in four days.

“As we know there were four incidents alone in a very short period recently, one involving a police vehicle and another requiring a digger to be removed.

“Considering the width restriction has been in place for many years I am sure the number will be significantly higher.”

A resident who reported several crashes previously told the Watford Observer he believes at least one driver strikes the bollards every day.

Mr Russell also said he is having “positive conversations” with the county council and Department for Transport over rule changes on the stretch.

Watford Observer: A police van crashing into the bollards.A police van crashing into the bollards.

A Herts Police spokesperson, explaining the injury-only recording policy, said: “Many minor collisions occur every day that do not result in injury.

“There is no requirement in law for the public to report these damage-only collisions to the police except in limited circumstances such as when a vehicle fails to stop.

“As these are not reportable offences, the police do not hold records on them.”

The county council also revealed it has only ever paid out for one claim made in relation to damage caused by the width restriction.

It was in March 2011 and cost £1,338.