Chaos on the roads

RESIDENTS in a flooded Hereford street reacted angrily to the behavior of motorists. Edgar Street was badly affected on Saturday as water spread from the flooded Merton Meadow car park and Widemarsh Brook during the heavy ram.

Despite residents warning drivers to slow down, many motorists continued to speed through the street with a total disregard for the nearby properties, which could have been damaged by waves of incoming water.

Edgar Street resident Steven Bedford said: “About 50% of the drivers were considerate, mostly lorry drivers, bus drivers and some concerned drivers.

Those with the least respect were 4X4s and yobs showing off to friends.

“It’s at times like these when you realize how selfish people can be.”

Residents had taken matters into their own hands and closed the road on Saturday evening using bollards placed earlier by workers from Herefordshire Council, moving motorists to the middle of the road.

However, many motorists simply drove through, moved the bollards or drove on the pavement nearly knocking down pedestrians.

The police were present the following morning, the road remained closed but despite clear signs motorists still tried to drive through and were directed back by police at the BP garage.

The road to Aylestone Hill was also affected as unprecedented levels of water flooded one of the main northern entrances to the city.

Motorists battled to get through the important roundabout but as the floods rose the road wasclosed by the authorities.

Copy from © hereford times july 2007