There was anger after mystery mud appeared in a Watford alley, later revealed to be the result of a self-funded pothole repair job.

A number of homes need to use the uneven alley between Stanmore Road and Parker Street, off Leavesden Road in Watford, to access their parking spaces.

After it began to take a toll on their own car, couple Hilda Biboc and Alexandru Enache took matters into their own hands last week and ordered soil and gravel to level off the road.

After laying down the initial soil membrane they needed it to set overnight, but rain and cars going over it created a muddy mess on March 23 and ruined levelling work.

“We said, ok, we will need to replace the membrane,” Hilda said. The construction worker acknowledged it was a “mistake” not to make everyone aware.

She added: “But we had nothing to repair it with, so we wasted more of our own money to order things in.”

Watford Observer: The alley on March 23The alley on March 23 (Image: Contribution)

However, while they waited, neighbours noticed the road and angrily took to social media to voice confusion over how the mud got there.

One person claimed it was now “virtually impossible” for anyone to walk or drive through.

A neighbour told the Watford Observer they acknowledged the need for repairs, but didn’t think this was the way to go about it.

Watford Observer: The alley on March 27The alley on March 27 (Image: Contributions)

Hilda said the council then complained about the soil on March 29, and she was reportedly told that following neighbours' complaints, the couple may be prosecuted for fly tipping if they did not remove the soil.

Watford Borough Council confirmed it received complaints and although it is a private alleyway, it has had “some involvement”.

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A council spokesperson said: “They tried to fix the potholes and put some aggregate into holes and used a whacker plate and then to further level put soil on top.”

“The soil has got wet and was causing a mess. We have asked them to remove the soil.

“This has been done and they have cleared up.”

Watford Observer: The alley on March 27The alley on March 27 (Image: Contribution)