Residents are at the end of their tether over a dealership blocking pavements and parking cars on double yellow lines despite more than 100 enforcement visits.
The Omoda and Jaecoo dealership has filled up the area around its space in Lower High Street and even across the nearby Watford Fields area with additional modern Chinese vehicles which would not fit on the lot.
Photographs show many of these have been left squarely in the middle of the pavement, with the same issue reportedly flaring up around this time each year recently.
One neighbour said: “Residents of Watford Fields are frustrated at the situation as they are causing traffic to back up, parking un-plated cars on double yellows and in resident bays, and elderly residents of Crosfield Court opposite cannot get past.”
“Nobody can walk past the obstructing cars safely and people are forced to walk in the road,” another added.
“Residents who are wheelchair users and those with buggies and small children are being put at an event greater risk.”
Central Ward councillor Sam Summer, who visited the area with enforcement officers, revealed they made 133 visits to check parking, either as part of patrols or in response to complaints, in August alone and issued “numerous” fines to registered vehicles.
Unregistered vehicles cannot easily be fined, but the issue has been raised with Herts Police.
The Liberal Democrat said: “I share the deep frustration of Watford Fields residents regarding complaints about unacceptable parking by the Omoda car dealership.
“Every year, driven by the new number plate release and the spike in sales, the dealership routinely allows its stock to spill onto public spaces.”
He added: “While we want local businesses to thrive, commercial success cannot come at the expense of public safety. This annual disruption must end.”
A spokesperson for Endeavour Automotive Group, which owns the dealership, confirmed it is aware of the issue and taking it seriously.
They said: “As vehicle volumes increase at certain times of the year, we recognise the impact of parking can have on local residents, pedestrians and surrounding public spaces.
Read more
Firm accused of using Watford estate as 'dumping ground' for cars
'Loophole' pavement parking near school triggers safety fears
Residents' nightmare as 'huge' lorries repeatedly get stuck in their road
“To help resolve this issue, we have secured an additional compound, three in total, to ease the pressure on the site and provide further vehicle storage capacity.
“This is aimed at reducing the need for vehicles to be parked on surrounding roads, while also helping to remove cars from grass verges and keep pedestrian pathways clear and accessible."
The company said it is committed to storing vehicles responsibly and being a “good neighbour”, adding that it will “continue to review our operations to help reduce any disruption to local residents and visitors”.
Share