Market traders who were banned from leaving their vans behind their stalls are relieved after the authority “saw sense” and changed its mind.

Hertsmere Borough Council has backtracked on its decision to stop sellers in Shenley Road, Borehamwood, from leaving their lorries on the street on market day.

Around seven traders left what was once a thriving and busy market but despite the u-turn, they have decided not to return after feeling “let down” by the council.

Harvey Blake, who has run a stall selling men’s in clothing in Borehamwood for the last year, said: “It’s a huge relief and a great result for us traders.

“There was a big worry about where we were going to leave our vans before and it meant that I’d have to leave my van unattended away from Shenley Road, when I was hauling my goods to and from the market.

“They’ve finally seen sense. It’s a remarkable victory.”

The council has now written to every market trader who left over previous weeks advising them of their decision.

Frank Ward, chairman of UKIP Hertsmere, supported the traders in petitoning the council Frank Ward, Chairman of UKIP: " UKIP are here to listen to the people and work within the community".

Terry Batchelor, from Hertsmere’s Engineering Services, who manages the market contract, said: “We’re in ongoing negotiations with the management company to improve the market for both traders and customers and bearing in mind the current weather conditions we have agreed that stallholders can leave their vehicles on site for the time being.

“We are happy to try all options to make the market more successful and will review the situation in a month or so.”