Dozens of drivers queue at McDonald's - which is only open for delivery - Watford Observer

There is "chaos" outside a McDonald’s in Watford – as drivers bizarrely queue for a restaurant which is only open for delivery.

Images and videos from today show cars constantly queuing up at the North Watford branch, clogging up the already busy St Albans Road.

Yesterday, the North Watford fast-food restaurant was one of 15 to open in the south east of England for delivery only – but it appears many think the restaurant and drive-thru is open.

Hopeful drivers have been sitting in queues to get into the car park but are leaving disappointed after realising the restaurant and drive-thru is actually closed.

These stills from a video were taken on Thursday afternoon. All cars in the middle and on the far left are waiting to turn into McDonald's

Andy Collins, who lives opposite McDonald’s, said: “This is causing chaos. People are seeing 15-20 delivery drivers at the entrance with the doors open thinking it’s open but it isn’t.

"People are literally creating a third lane by queuing in the road.

"It's been like it all day and last night. Then it will die down for five minutes and then there will be a queue again.

"There’s beeping every 15 seconds, I’ve seen buses stuck for several minutes, and people parking really dangerously on the side of the road and pavement.”

Mr Collins said he also saw a cyclist, travelling towards Asda, narrowly avoid being hit by a vehicle turning across the road into McDonald’s.

Police even turned up last night due to the amount of congestion being caused.

Queues have been tailing back towards Asda

Mr Collins has also noticed that some drivers are picking up meals on the side of the road.

He says he has witnessed delivery drivers, who are mostly on motorcycles, pick up an order from the door and walk across St Albans Road and give the order to someone in a car.

Mr Collins added: "It's a nightmare. Not only is this really annoying with all the noise but there is a safety element too, especially with what nearly happened to the cyclist.

"I’m getting blocked in because you’ve got people turning up, parking on the road, and then running across to see if McDonald’s is open.

"Something needs to be done to make this safer."

McDonald’s does have a sign up saying delivery only but it appears many are not seeing the sign.

Yesterday, Watford Borough Council said it would begin punishing drivers parking dangerously in St Albans Road, for example on yellow lines.

Meanwhile, many customers voiced their displeasure after they were unable to order from the Watford McDonald’s through Uber Eats.

Uber Eats said that "demand is very high" at the store in Watford and has urged customers to be "patient" as it works to ensure orders "are fulfilled".

McDonald’s is expected to reopen some of its drive thrus in the near future, which could include the branch in North Watford.

All other McDonald’s in Watford remain closed for now.

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2020-05-14 16:10:00Z
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