Concerns have been voiced over the closure of bus stops in Borehamwood this week.

County councillor John Metcalf is angry Hertfordshire Highways, which is carrying out maintenance and repair works in Shenley Road, closed the stops without immediately offering temporary alternatives or detailed signage.

He is also surprised the town’s borough and county councillors were not told when the work, to rebuild the bus stops to Disability Discrimination Act standards, was going to take place.

Mr Metcalf said: "It is appalling. It should be properly planned. They shouldn’t do it on the spur of the moment. We assumed they would give us notice about these works, not go ahead and bring it forward. There also needs to be more information on the signs as there is no number for people to call."

The first phase of refurbishment work on Borehamwood’s high street started at the beginning of this month, but work on the bus stops was not due to take place until later in the scheme, when roads were to be closed.

A spokeswoman for the authority said: "We apologise for any inconvenience this early start caused and for the initial delay in establishing the temporary stops owing to safety investigations. It was decided that an early start on this work was more cost-effective and would also help to keep the programme on schedule.

"The permanent bus stops opened again on Thursday, but will have to close again as work on Shenley Road continues. Temporary stops will be provided. We ask residents for their patience while this vital work takes place, which will improve accessibility to the bus stops for disabled people.

"Councillors had been informed this work was planned, but were not told when work started ahead of schedule."

Mr Metcalf added: "It looks like the bus service is the poor relation of the whole scheme. The bus drivers don’t seem to have been properly briefed either. I will continue to pursue this to make sure proper measures are put in place during the works."

For more information on the works, call Hertfordshire Highways on 01923 471320.