Drivers are often left desperate for something to entertain them while stuck in traffic but one St Albans driver got more than she bargained for when drama unfolded in front of her eyes.

The woman, who did not want to be named, was left open-mouthed after seeing an apparent fight break out between workmen fitting the new pedestrian crossing opposite Westminster Lodge Centre in Holywell Hill last Thursday.

Waiting to turn into neighbouring Prospect Road at around 10.45am, she couldn’t believe her eyes when one workman threw something at another who was sat in a digger, then launched at him and dragged him out.

The man then shoved the other up against some railings while shaking him and tried to hit him before three other workers tried to intervene but failed.

After she beeped her horn to distract them, another workman ran over and eventually broke up the scuffle.

However the man who had been involved in the scrap took off his high visibility jacket and threw it at the man who had been sitting in the digger.

Neil Huntington, contracting and production regional director of Eurovia who were responsible for the works, said: “I have been assured by the two workmen in question - who do not work directly for Eurovia but rather for one of our supply chain partners - that they were acting in jest but appreciate their horseplay was totally unacceptable.

“They have been formally reminded that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated by our company on any of our worksites.

“I would like to take this opportunity to apologise unreservedly for any distress or offence caused and reassure residents that we take these accusations very seriously and will endeavour to ensure it does not happen again.”