Yes, that manhole really is trying to swallow a lorry! The lorry, carrying several tons of concrete blocks, mounted the pavement in St Albans Road on Monday to try to avoid another huge truck travelling the other way. As soon as the front wheel rolled over the manhole, set in light tarmac, the whole lot gave way and the lorry sank up to its axle in the pavement, causing another traffic jam.

[From the Watford Observer of July 1, 1966]