A long-running problem behind the Manor Way shops in Borehamwood has finally been resolved, after Hertsmere Borough Council’s Cabinet agreed to bring the service road into council control.

For years, the road has been a source of frustration for residents and businesses, plagued by fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles and poor maintenance. With no formal owner since its previous owner company was dissolved, the road had fallen into legal and practical limbo, leaving the council unable to act.

That has now changed. The administration has approved plans to acquire the road from the Crown Estate, investing around £150,000 to upgrade its surface, improve access for mechanical cleansing, and tackle years of neglect. The council will now have full powers to issue skip licences, regulate waste storage, remove dumped vehicles and take enforcement action where needed.

The move is a clear delivery on Labour’s election pledge to “clean up Hertsmere” and ensure the borough’s public spaces are properly cared for after decades of under-investment.

Cllr Prabhakar Kaza, who represents Borehamwood Kenilworth Ward, has worked closely with officers and residents on the issue, said:

“This is a real victory for common sense and for local people who’ve had to live with this eyesore for far too long.

Under the previous administration, this service road was effectively abandoned, a magnet for fly-tipping, waste and neglect. By taking ownership, we can finally clean it up, manage it properly and make sure the area reflects the pride residents have in their community.

It’s another example of Labour delivering on its promises, taking responsibility where others looked the other way.”

Now that the road is under council control, immediate works will focus on resurfacing and creating a layout suitable for cleansing vehicles. The council is also considering a partial road closure to deter through-traffic and dumping, alongside measures to ensure traders use licensed skips and keep adjoining areas tidy.

While the council has accepted new maintenance responsibilities, the administration expects the move to reduce long-term costs linked to fly-tipping and ad-hoc clean-ups, freeing up funding for wider neighbourhood improvements.

After 24 years of Conservative control, the Labour-led council says this decision shows a new approach: taking direct responsibility for local problems and restoring pride to the borough’s streets and service areas.

Read the full Cabinet report, HERE