Cameras could be set for Watford A41 roundabout bus gate

A survey of vehicles using the bus-only route between homes in Northwestern Avenue and the Leavesden Green roundabout found that only 42 out of 359 vehicles using it on the day it was carried out were buses.

Residents will be consulted about new measures which, if approved, will see the vehicles caught out by enforced restrictions.

Councillor Asif Khan stood between the A41 and the bus gate. (Image: Cllr Asif Khan) Among them is more clearly marking the bus gate, which will also allow access for emergency services, bicycles and authorised vehicles.

There is an “increased number of collisions at the roundabout”, according to Hertfordshire County Council consultation documents, which “indicates that this area may be a collision hotspot”.

The letter added: “Benefits are expected to be safe passage for buses and emergency vehicles, less disruption to bus journeys, fewer services being late or cancelled, improved traffic management on the road network around this area, and increased compliance from motorists.”

North Watford county councillor Asif Khan has urged residents to have their say during the consultation, adding that the illegal use of the road “has been a source of frustration for residents and law-abiding drivers”.

“I have campaigned for this enforcement for a long time because residents and drivers are rightly frustrated when others ignore the rules and use the bus gate illegally,” the Labour councillor said.

“This creates unnecessary congestion and safety issues.”

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It takes two roughly minutes to drive the 0.6 miles necessary to get from the A41 approaching the roundabout to the other side of the bus gate without using it, according to Google Maps.

The proposal is subject to a consultation which will be inviting representations in writing to tro.team@hertfordshire.gov.uk between February 6 and March 20.

Councillor Khan added: "I will continue to champion local residents' concerns and fight for fair enforcement of traffic rules in Watford.

"I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and share their views.”