Police have warned drivers not to remove barriers or signage after a road was closed for emergency repairs.

Some drivers were seen mounting the pavement on Tuesday to bypass a closure in Aldenham Road in Bushey.

The closure has been in place since Monday evening after a large pothole was discovered near Queens School.

After reports from police that a number of vehicles had been damaged, and following carriageway investigations on Tuesday morning, Hertfordshire County Council decided it needed to dig a much larger hole to make the necessary repairs – and a full closure was put in place.

Watford Observer:

The intitial hole that formed in Aldenham Road. Credit: Bushey Lib Dems

A passer-by photographed at least two drivers on Tuesday taking to the pavement to get past the road closure.

And Hertsmere Police tweeted: "Aldenham Road Bushey is closed for safety reasons due to a large hole. Please don’t remove barriers or signage. Please find an alternative safer route."

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Watford Observer:

Cars on the pavement next to the road closure. Credit: UGC

There is some good news for motorists – the county council expects Aldenham Road to reopen by the end of this week, after initial signs suggested the closure may last until October 6.

A county council spokesperson said: "We were made aware of a large dip on Aldenham Road in Bushey on Monday night and closed the road off safely to allow for inspection.

"The highways team have worked to dig up part of the road and believe the dip was likely caused by the naturally poor ground found in this area of the county.

"We are now working to repair the road, which involves pouring concrete to stabilise the ground, and will hopefully be able to open the road by Friday.”

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The council has since dug a larger hole in Aldenham Road. Credit: Bushey Lib Dems

Bushey North councillor, Jerry Evans, said: "I'm really glad the council has taken note of residents' concerns we put to them and seem to be prioritising this repair.

"If the street is reopened on Friday, as they are now suggesting. it will be a big relief.

"The thought of a two week closure of this main artery was a real cause of concern."

The Aldenham Road closure could not have come at a worse time with the nearby A41 shut as well due to a burst water main – there have been significant traffic delays this week.

Affinity Water has been at the scene of the burst on the A41 since the early hours of Monday and have dug a huge hole to complete the repairs.

Motorcyclist Mic Spazzolino was caught out by floodwater at around 3.30am and said the water was up to his knees.

The engine on his bike stopped but Mr Spazzolino was able to restart it.

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This was the A41 in the early hours of Monday. Credit: Mic Spazzolino

The A41 remains closed between the Hartspring roundabout and McDonald’s but is expected to reopen on Friday afternoon.

A spokesperson for Affinity Water said: “We are very sorry for the traffic disruption caused by a burst along the A41 near Bushey.

"The water main is over 3.5 metres deep and has required a large excavation to expose the pipe, which is also adjacent to a gas main and electric cable.

"Our teams have been working 24 hours a day to expose the pipe and carry out the repairs. During this time, the A41 is closed between Sandy Lane and Hartspring Lane with a diversion in place to ensure the safety of commuters and our engineers carrying out this repair."

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The excavation on the A41 after a water main burst. Credit: Affinity Water

The company added: "We have adjusted our network to ensure there is no impact to public supplies and our teams will be working overnight to complete the repairs and re-open the road by Friday afternoon.

"We would like to thank customers and commuters for their patience during this time."

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Credit: Affinity Water

A third road closure – in Heathbourne Road in Bushey Heath – has arguably caused the most severe traffic delays this week.

The road is shut until September 29 for water pipe connection work.

It has caused Elstree Road and High Road in Bushey Heath to jam up with traffic tailing all the way back to Bushey Arches, Eastbury Road in Oxhey, and Waterfields Way in Watford.