Residents remain “marooned” as road surface depressions mean the closure of a key bridge continues to drag on.
Little Oxhey Lane has been shut at the bridge over the West Coast Main Line tracks since August 18 and, despite an initial permit for works lasting until September 1, it remains impassable.
With the issue being above a busy railway line, radar surveys to understand what it will take to fix it safely and sign-off from Network Rail have been required.
Little Oxhey Lane is the only direct road between South Oxhey and Carpenders Park, forcing motorists on long diversions and leaving buses unable to serve Carpenders Park.
Brenda, 79, highlighted the impact of the closure on those who rely on the bus service to get to hospital or other areas of Watford.
“They are going on the other side of the railway, which is absolutely no use to me and other ladies that live in our streets,” the bus user said. “Unless you’ve got a car you may as well be living in the back of beyond.
“I really think that the council or somebody needs to get it sorted, because people are marooned if they can’t get a lift.”
Other residents said the closure had “put a huge spanner in the works for working parents and the school run” and caused “absolutely carnage traffic” on alternative routes.
Some residents have called for a shuttle bus between Carpenders Park and South Oxhey’s bus stops, or temporary traffic lights at the bridge.
Councillor Vishal Patel met with Network Rail representatives, who are taking the “complex” issue “very seriously”, last week and has another meeting about the closure with Hertfordshire County Council officers tomorrow (September 9).
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“This situation is not acceptable for residents and I am ensuring it is treated with the urgency it deserves,” The Conservative councillor added.
“The bridge structure itself is sound and there is no structural issue. The problem appears to relate to material depression on the bridge rather than the structure.”
Labour councillor Steve Cox added: "This closure is utterly catastrophic. This needs sorting out immediately. People can't carry on living with this chaos."
No reopening date has been confirmed.
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