PAVING slabs are cracking under the strain of the relentless onslaught of commercial vehicles – and today the WHT is saying enough is enough.

As well as the cosmetic damage, the potential for elderly and vulnerable members of the community to trip or fall on these dangerous stones forces the county council to repair them.

But with more than �2,500 spent in the last two months to repair damaged paths in just Howardsgate in WGC alone, we are asking private companies to stop driving onto pedestrianised areas – or make a contribution to the cost of fixing the problem.

Our photographer has snapped lots of companies this week parking around WGC town centre. The two most regular visitors are G4S, a private security firm, and Serco, Welwyn Hatfield Council’s garden maintenance contractors.

A Hertfordshire County Council spokeswoman said: “In the last two months we have spent around �2,500 on repairing damaged pavements on Howardsgate.

“Getting compensation depends on someone witnessing the damage being done – just witnessing someone driving on the pavement isn’t sufficient, you have to witness the paving being broken by the vehicle.

“We encourage any residents who witness damage to contact us at www.hertsdirect.org/highwayfaults or by calling 0300 123 4047, although be aware you might have to appear in court if we are going to be successful in getting compensation.”

She added: “We’re currently working on a traffic regulation order for this area that will make it an offence to park on the pavement, meaning that any vehicles doing so can be ticketed by the borough council.

“These plans should be going for public consultation in January and we’re not planning to allow any exemptions for security or works vehicles.

“In the meantime, if the vehicle is parked on pavement where there are double yellow lines on the road, they can be ticketed by the borough council.”

Any damage caused would be repaired to its original standard.