Work begins in Watford Road on Metropolitan Line Extension

FIVE YEARS AGO

Motorists to face delays as work begins on the Metropolitian Line Extension

An artist's impression of what the viaduct will look like

People travelling into Watford from Rickmansworth or Croxley Green could face major delays as work begins on the Metropolitan Line Extension.

Virgin Media, BT and Affinity Water are among the companies who will be re-routing their cables and pipes as builders prepare to start work on the viaduct on Watford Road. The work starts on February 27.

This means motorists travelling from Rickmansworth or Croxley Green could face lengthy delays.

A lane will be closed on the roundabout between Baldwins Lane and Watford Road. There will only be one working lane in Baldwins Lane during the initial work, which starts on Saturday and will finish at the end of March.

'It will stick out like a sore thumb': Application to build 18 flats in Watford approved

The site of the 18-flat development

Cries of “unbelievable” erupted from campaigners after district councillors voted to approve plans to build 18 flats in Watford.

Watford Borough Council's planning committee approved the application to build the four storey building at the current Watford Car Sales at the Dome roundabout.

Around 10 supporters left the council chambers during the meeting on Thursday after plans were approved.

Objecting councillors said the development was out of character and would "stick out like a sore thumb".

Watford to hold its first literary festival

A star-studded line-up for the first Watford Literature Festival has been announced.

Actor Simon Callow, historian Michael Portillo, Scandicrime expert Barry Forshaw and the family of Call the Midwife will appear at the event.

The two month event organised by Watford Borough Council will feature workshops, talks, plays and interactive sessions outdoors.

Elected Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: “The Big Events are about opening up wonderful experiences to everybody and we felt literature was missing from the line-up.

"With it being Shakespeare’s anniversary and Roald Dahl’s 100th birthday, it seemed like the perfect time for this celebration.

"Working with our many partners and local businesses, we’ve pulled together a real mix of events. There is something for everyone.”

TEN YEARS AGO

Petition calls for end to parking restrictions

Staff and clients at the Park Veterinary Centre in Watford, including Natasha Reader, protested against the CPZ when first proposed in 2008

More than 2,000 people have called for parking restrictions to be removed from the entrance to a veterinary surgery in Watford.

A controversial Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ) was introduced to part of the Cassiobury estate six months ago, restricting parking on both sides of some roads at different times of the day.

Mark Gardiner, a partner at Park Veterinary Centre in Cassiobury Drive, presented Watford Borough Council with a petition of 2,300 signatures against the parking restrictions at the council's cabinet meeting last night (Monday).

The practice, which has 12 vets, has treated small and large animals across Watford for 36 years, and before that in Clarendon Road.

Mystery solved: Airfield becomes German city for Sherlock Holmes

A former Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force base used during World War II will double as a German city for a blockbuster crime caper.

Residents have confirmed that the next instalment of the Sherlock Holmes movie is being filmed in Bovingdon.

Readers have leaked to the Watford Observer a schedule detailing filming of the Jude Law and Robert Downey Junior picture in the disused airfield.

According to a letter sent by Elementary Productions Limited to villagers, the scenes being shot are set in Essen Germany, circa 1893, where Holmes and Watson are being pursued from a munitions factory complex.

MP: Incinerator would be 'environmental disaster'

More than 100 residents attended a meeting in December 2010 to oppose the incinerator plans

The building of a waste incinerator on the outskirts of Radlett would be "an environmental disaster for the area" according to the MP for Hertsmere.

Hertfordshire County Council is currently deciding between two locations - a quarry complex in Harper Lane, Radlett, and a former school site in south Hatfield - for a waste incinerator, to keep the county's rubbish out of landfill sites.

Last week, Hertsmere MP James Clappison criticised the selection of Radlett as a possible location in a debate in the House of Commons, at which St Albans MP Anne Main was also present.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Clappison (Conservative) claimed the system, under which the decision is being made, is flawed.

"It is a strange process where the county council gets to the stage of having a preferred bidder, before they consult with the residents," he said.

"I think there is a very strong case against the incinerator being built in Radlett, but I would question whether they should be building one at all - we should look to recycle and reuse more."