Police have clamped down on drivers ignoring 'no entry' signs at Watford General Hospital - despite confusion over diversion routes.
Hertfordshire Constabulary says that over the past couple of weeks people had been ignoring the no entry signs on Thomas Sawyer Way, which ensure ambulances have quick and efficient access to the hospital by only allowing emergency vehicles and buses.
Community support officers had been issuing warnings to motorists flouting the rules, who the force says “may be slowing down a member of the public who is in need of urgent and lifesaving care”.
Today (March 14), officers were sent to start issuing traffic offence reports to people who still ignore the restrictions, which could lead to a fine or points on the driver’s licence.
“By contravening the no entry signs you are committing a moving road traffic offence,” Watford Police said on social media.
“If you are witnessed using the road by an officer, you will be issued with a traffic offence report.
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“There is no excuse for ignoring the signs."
However, in the comments, numerous people claimed they had actually been diverted that way by hospital security to get to the multi-storey car park.
The diversion was in place to get around a sinkhole outside the main entrance.
Police added: “Watford General security staff have been advised not to divert anybody down the emergency route.”
A woman who visited over the last couple of days claimed yesterday she was told to head that way, but today the security guard “clearly said you have to go all the way around”.
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Work is currently underway to fix the hospital sinkhole, with pictures taken yesterday (March 13) showing a digger and sand on site as the hole was being filled.
Work on the hole and road renovations are expected to be completed by this spring after the problem first emerged last August.
Since it opened, diversions have been put in place for patients to access the car parks.
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