Woodmere Avenue: Width restriction could go BEFORE cameras come

Cameras are on course to be put into Woodmere Avenue in Watford from 2023 to deter overweight vehicles using the street.

It's in response to complaints about the width restriction currently place which is struck "everyday" and frequently ends up damaging vehicles.

Hertfordshire County Council says the "principle" of the restriction is "important and valued" by locals - but admits the current situation is "not ideal".

It appears to be a climbdown from September when the council defended its design and said drivers have "responsibility" to know the width of their vehicle and travel through at a safe speed.

Still footage of vehicles being flung off the ground after hitting the width restriction. Credit: Tim Vigor

A spokesperson said this week: "We understand local residents’ concerns about the existing width restrictions on Woodmere Avenue and we are taking them seriously.

"We agree that the current situation is not ideal, and we have been engaging with residents, councillors and the local MP to discuss alternatives to the existing bollards.

"Our engineers are currently working on the details of a possible [ANPR] scheme, and we intend to formally consult local residents on these plans. As part of that consultation we could ask residents whether they would like the restriction removed before ANPR enforcement cameras are installed."

The council added it is continuing to look at short-term options for modifying the existing seven foot wide restriction while it remains in place.

Crashes at the restriction are not new but the issue has been brought into sharp focus ever since a camera was installed in the summer on a nearby doorbell which captures the collisions - which on occasions have caused emergency services to attend.

Viral footage shows the same set of posts are hit continuously - usually the first-left one - with crashes blamed by some on the dropped kerb in line with that post, the slight curve of the kerb, and the height of the six posts.

The dropper kerb, shown on the left, being in line with the first post has been blamed for crashes at the width restriction as people believe drivers are unaware they are on the dropped kerb

However, the footage also shows that some drivers are approaching the restriction at an inappropriate speed but others seen driving slowly towards it have also been caught out.

Local county councillor Steve Cavinder, MP Dean Russell, and many residents are united in their view that changes are needed.

A slight curve in the kerb approaching this width restriction from the A41 has also been highlighted by local residents (Image: UGC)

The council is expecting to be able to apply for legal powers to introduce a camera-enforced weight restriction when the law changes in May but because of consultation and implementation, it is likely to be 2023 before any cameras are installed on Woodmere Avenue - and even then it is set to be on a trial basis.

Cllr Cavinder says 2023 is "too long to wait" if collisions are going to keep on occuring; however, the comments this week from the council confirm the possibility of the width restriction being taken away before cameras are installed.