Remove dangerous scaffolding on Shenley Road, Borehamwood
Call for evidence - SHENLEY ROAD SCAFFOLDING HAZARD (AND UPDATE)
Hertsmere First is launching an appeal for testimonies and photographic evidence from residents in Borehamwood and surrounding areas who have experienced falls, injuries and other safety-related problems between August 2025 and June 2026 as a result of the grotesque scaffolding that continues to blight The Village.
Whilst we recognise that the scaffolding was originally erected to protect the public from loose tiles and to replace cladding, 9 months later with barely any work having been done since, we are deeply concerned about the multiple reports we have received from residents who have been harmed, our local businesses below the scaffold that are losing customers and tenants who are being left to foot the bill.
ACTION NOT WORDS
We are prioritising this as a key Borehamwood campaign. Here is what we have done in recent days:
✍🏻To add to the pressure, we ensured that the Town Council wrote to the building owner LCP Properties about this mater two weeks ago. This was good of the council as they have no direct responsibility. However, as yet the letter has not been answered or acknowledged by the owner.
🏗️We commissioned a retired Scaffolding Inspector to visit the site for us. He explained that under The UK Work at Height Regulations, inspections are supposed to take place every 7 days. He picked up several aspects that are clearly not legally compliant. This means that either the weekly check hasn’t been performed or the findings have been ignored. For instance the wooden base plates are split and showing clear signs of rot.
🚨We have been lobbying Hertfordshire County Council hard on the terms of the Scaffolding Licence that they issued (due to expire in August). They were apparently unaware of the safety issues the Scaffold is creating.
🤝We continue to engage with tenants and the shops on a weekly basis.
SUCCESSES THAT OUR PRESSURE HAS ENSURED:
✅That the county council will CONDUCT A SITE INSPECTION in the coming days.
✅That sponge was added to the metal scaffold at body level to protect the public
✅That the footpath was widened below to improve public access.
HELP OUR SUBMISSION TO THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE
This will be collated for a Report that we are compiling that will be sent to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). They have the ability to serve an Improvement Notice, a Prohibition Notice or even Prosecute in the most serious cases.
Please send us your evidence to hertsmerefirst@gmail.com and we will treat it confidentially. We need brief details of the incident, the date and the nature of any injuries you sustained.
In the absence of the appropriate authorities taking responsibility for this, at Hertsmere First we will continue to battle day and night to ensure your safety and that we can have a high street to be proud of again.