A councillor has challenged the county’s highways contractor to “up its game” and cut back hedges to improve safety.

Sandy Walkington claims pedestrians are being forced into the road and has called on Ringway to resolve the issue.

Cllr Walkington says King Harry Lane is a particular hotspot where he often sees people struggling on the narrow pavements.

He said: “King Harry Lane is one of the busiest roads in the county and the pavement has been allowed to narrow more than it should have.

“In some places, it’s virtually impossible to walk.

“It’s even worse for parents with buggies or the increasing number of people using mobility scooters.

“I’ve has so many people get in touch. Ringway should not need to be nagged or chased. “But it’s not just King Harry Lane. There are examples of this across the whole of my St Albans South division.”

A spokesperson for Ringway said: “The council only has a limited budget to carry out environmental maintenance “We have to prioritise, based on a number of criteria, such as where hedges are overgrown to the extent that they are causing an obstruction to the highway, or restricting footpath users, and people in wheelchairs and with buggies.

“Ringway is aware of these reports and are currently looking into this issue."