There was mixed news this week for the Orthodox community in Borehamwood over the establishment of a local eruv, enabling observant Jews to carry or push items on Shabbat.

Although the eruv poles have now been ordered, local campaign leaders warned that "a few hurdles" had still to be overcome, three months after the project was given the green light by Hertsmere Council.

"It is imminent," promised a spokesman for the eruv trustees this week, albeit without giving even an approximate date for the eruv becoming operational.

"There are only minor issues holding up completion and we hope to have these sorted out as soon as possible. Many of the problems have arisen through having to deal with so many different authorities, as well as individual landowners."

In the latest update to the community, the delay in ordering the poles was attributed to negotiations with a contractor having taken longer than anticipated.