Poor planning behind new road markings and a bus stop in Harpenden will leave bus drivers at risk of a fine every time they stop, a resident has claimed.

The Alzey Gardens resident, who did not want to be named for professional reasons, said that when he drove past Walkers Road, he was surprised to see that the county council had seemed to have “forgotten the law”.

He said: “It is an offence to stop on the zig-zags of a crossing and to block it.

“But where is the newly-raised bus stop? Right next to the zig-zags. How is the bus supposed to stop without breaking the law?

“The rules relating to crossings are on the UK government’s website. It points out that no-one can stop or park on a pedestrian crossing, including the area marked by the zig-zag lines.

“The rules are clear and there is no exception for a bus whose stop happens to be adjacent to the crossing.”

He added that any driver stopping at this stop would be at risk of a fine and possibly points on their licence.

He went on: “Any bus stopping here will not only stop on the zig-zags but depending on its length is likely to partially or fully obstruct the crossing.

“The county council has been negligent regarding this and has wasted taxpayers’ money as either the bus stop or the crossing will need to be moved to stop bus drivers committing an offence.”

But a spokesman for Herts County Council said: “Local bus services are not prohibited from stopping in the controlled area indicated by the zig-zag markings.

“The Highway Code Rules cited include a reference to the traffic signs regulations and General Directions Act 2002, which permits buses to pick up or set down passengers in these zones.”