Residents pay £145,000 for congestion!

12.00.00am GMT Mon 26th Feb 2007

Councillors Paul Goggins and Keith Williams are campaigning to end the traffic chaos at the Hunton Bridge roundabout

Local residents are continuing to express their anger and frustration at the Highways Agency decision to cut access to the anti-clockwise M25 at Junction 19 to one lane.

The closure has brought chaos to roads over a wide area, with cars rat-running along Langleybury Lane and Grove Mill Lane and more traffic passing through Watford. Hold ups on the access to the M25 are now up to 30 minutes at busy times. The Agency has confirmed that the month-long experiment will cost tax payers £145,000 - so residents are paying for the congestion!

Cllr Stephen Giles-Medhurst said, "This experiment is ridiculous. In my view it is going to make our local roads even more difficult to get around. The road will only be closed off with traffic cones. I fear that frustrated drivers will take matters into their own hands and use the second lane."

Cllr Paul Goggins added, "This is causing chaos on local roads, Many people have told me that they have changed their travel plans to go through Watford or round the lanes. This extra traffic past homes and schools is unwelcome and potentially dangerous".

Lib Dem parliamentary candidate Sal Brinton said, "We have already had the problems with the Hunton Bridge roundabout and for many local motorists this scheme will just add insult to injury."