Signs asking the public to respect highways teams have been brought in – after workers were subjected to abuse from passers-by.

Since the beginning of lockdown, contractors have been allowed to continue with selected projects on behalf of Hertfordshire County Council.

But it has been reported that teams across the county have been subjected to “adverse comments” from the public.

In some cases people have questioned whether their presence is putting themselves or others at risk. And others have questioned whether the work should be happening.

In one incident it is said that teams working on the river bridge in Hoddesdon were subject to “adverse comments”.

And other teams making road repairs – such as filling in potholes – have also been targeted.

The issue was flagged up at a meeting of the county council’s special cabinet panel last Friday.

Following the meeting, executive member for highways Cllr Phil Bibby stressed that work was only continuing where it was safe to do so.

“We are picking sites and work that we can actually do safely,” he said.

“We are not going to be putting people on sites where we don’t think they will be able to socially-distance.”

He said that additional measures were being taken to keep contractors safe – such as crews arriving in separate vehicles to a particular job.

And he said contractors and operators were fully conscious of the need for social-distancing for themselves and other people’s safety.

He said that throughout lockdown the roads were needed, especially for key workers.

And he said the ongoing work was designed to keep roads “safe and serviceable”.

The signs – in the cabs of the highways teams – ask the public to respect the crews who are there to work on the highways.