A COUPLE caught up in a dispute with the district council over a fence which they claim is protecting their children have called for speed calming measures to be introduced in the street.

Ian and Melanie Reay, of Francis Avenue, installed a 1.8 metre high fence bordering their front and side garden to protect their children from speeding cars which were crashing into their wall.

The parents, who have four children, claim they were unaware they had to keep to a certain height or that they needed planning permission.

The Reays were served an enforcement notice from the district council stating it was a breach of planning control to have such a high fence without permission.

They are currently waiting on the Secretary of State to make a decision after lodging an appeal against the council's notice.

Mr and Mrs Reay have also called on speed calming measures to be introduced in Francis Avenue to deter motorists from using it as a rat-run to Harpenden Road.

Mrs Reay, 39, said: "We would welcome any kind of speed humps or speed calming measures to stop the cars from racing down the road.

"The reason we put the fence up was to protect our children but it doesn't change the speed cars travel at."

The couple said weeks after they had put up their fence a car crashed into the wall on the otherside while their children were playing in the garden.

The fear if the high boundary is not there it will be putting their children at risk from harm.

Jo Brown, spokeswoman for Hertfordshire County Council said resources are limited and focussed on areas of serious concern.

She added: "We have not been alerted to any problems on this road recently, but we have in the past carried out safety work to improve visibility at the junctions on the road.

"We appreciate that this resident is concerned about the recent collision and rat-running so we encourage them to get in touch with us on 0300 123 4047 or by reporting the problem on www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults.

"We will then see if anything can be done, although we do have limited resources."

To read more about the fence row click the related link below.