Latest news with #roadmarkings
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Bizarre squiggly road markings leave drivers baffled – would YOU know what they mean?
BIZARRE squiggly road marking have left residents baffled and wreaked havoc for drivers. But following widespread criticism, the local council has decided to take action. 2 The unique wiggly road markings in Clevedon, Somerset, have now been removed following a fierce backlash. After review, the traffic scheme has been scrapped with the wobbly lines removed and the original parking reinstated. The work to remove the road markings started in February and was completed at the weekend at a total cost of £500,000. It is thought that over £1 million was spent on previously installing the lines. In addition to the sea-facing parking being re-introduced, a mini-roundabout, pedestrian crossing and new loading bays have also been created. 2 The seafront will remain a one-way system and the two-way cycle path has made way for a contra-flow lane. Overall, the works took 13 weeks to complete and the whole scheme including its removal has cost the taxpayer nearly £1.5 million. North Somerset Council installed the wavy lines, cycle lane and one-way system along Beach Road in 2022. This was in an effort to slow drivers and deter people from roadside parking there. But the markings sparked confusion and anger amongst residents who could no longer park their motors on the seafront overlooking the Bristol Channel. At the time, one local reckoned the markings resembled a "lane for drink-drivers." Another insisted that "the road layout is a hot mess." It was also described as "Balamory from hell for a motorcycle" by a third resident. The RAC previously dubbed the markings as one of the most "bizarre" schemes it had seen. MP Liam Fox also hit out at the "shambles" and called for the scheme to be axed. The scheme even prompted protests amid widespread media ridicule. At the time, a council spokesman said: "The lines are a design feature to reduce the potential abuse of parking at these locations and help make the road feel narrower, which is a technique used to slow traffic speeds. 'In this case, the area is adjacent to the sailing club entrance so needs to be kept clear. 'A wavy line provides uncertainty to the driver and is proven to help reduce unwanted parking.' North Somerset Council has been approached for comment.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Clevedon's 'bizarre' wiggle road markings removed amid £1.5m cost
Work to remove wiggly road markings that sparked controversy in a seaside town has been Somerset Council caused outrage in Clevedon when it introduced the changes, which included the removal of sea-facing parking, along the waterfront in 2022. RAC previously described the lines as one of the "most bizarre" road schemes it had originally cost about £1m and a further £425,000 was spent on the reversal, but the council said the move was "in line with significant public feedback" from businesses and residents. Councillor Hannah Young, cabinet member for highways, said: "We have listened to the local community and reinstated sea-facing parking." Work to remove the markings started in February and also included creating new loading bays, a single contraflow cycle path, a mini roundabout, a pedestrian crossings and vehicular access to the promenade for boats and ice cream vans. New planters will be added to the area and the community will be consulted on the plans. Councillor Young added: "We would like to thank everyone for their patience and encourage all residents and visitors to come and support the seafront businesses that have been affected as you enjoy the new configuration."
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Britain's daftest road markings are finally removed after council spent £1.5m on wiggly lines that left drivers and cyclists baffled
Britain's 'most bonkers' wiggly road markings - which wreaked havoc on drivers and cyclists and sparked widespread protests - have finally been removed in a humiliating blow to the council who wasted £1.5million of taxpayers' cash on them. The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million. North Somerset council said the lines helped make the road feel narrower, which would help reduce the speed of motorists. But the new seafront layout sparked derision and anger among locals and visitors who could no longer park their vehicles facing towards the sea to enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel. The traffic scheme - described by the RAC as one of the 'most bizarre' it has ever seen - was reviewed and the decision made to reinstate the original parking and remove the wobbly lines. The work, which took 13 weeks to complete and cost a further £500,000, was finally completed at the weekend. The works re-introduced sea facing parking, removed the two-way cycle path, the yellow brick road, the wavy line and made way for a mini-roundabout. North Somerset council said the works would 'improve' pedestrian crossing points. Resident Cathy Hawkins who set up the campaign group 'Save our Seafront' said the scheme was a 'disaster' and a 'complete waste of money'. Cathy, who claims the scheme cost £2million, said: 'They made themselves a laughing stock in the country. 'I don't think it is much better than it was before and it is a complete waste of £2million. 'It is still one way and it still causes real traffic issues - I'm not particularly happy that it is not in the initial way but it's better than it was. ' She claimed her campaign group 'begged' the council to refuse going ahead with the project. Ms Hawkins added: 'This is the outcome of not listening to their residents. 'They refused to speak to us and they went ahead. 'It was a ridiculous scheme that was dangerous. People could open their doors onto the cycle lane which meant people could get knocked down their bikes. 'There were massive issues reported - it was an awful design in the first place. The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million The wiggly lines are being removed in Clevedon, Somerset, following the outrage 'They need to do what the residents wants not what the council wants. 'They are putting these schemes all over the country. This has got to stop - councilors are not there to force things onto people. People are fed up with it.' The initial plans were originally met with heavy criticism from local residents - who even staged a 'conga line' protest in fancy dress amidst widespread media ridicule of the project.
Daily Mail
13-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Taxi driver landed with huge bill after 'going too far' when trying to stop neighbours parking outside his house
A taxi driver has infuriated his neighbours after illegally painting red lines on the road outside his house to stop people parking there. Altaf 'Tiger' Patel was spotted drawing a single 27ft line by hand with a paintbrush to prevent other cars blocking the entrance to his driveway in Audley, Blackburn. Mr Patel who is also a councillor for Little Harwood and Daisyfield, said he needed his driveway clear 'at all times' due to his job and complained that people parking in front of his home had become 'an ongoing issue'. The 55-year-old claimed the lines were only 'temporary' and was waiting for workers to paint the official lines on. But he still received significant backlash from residents on St Thomas Street, who accused him of thinking he was 'above the law'. Amin Kapadi, who is a councillor for the neighbouring Audrey and Queens Park ward, also claimed Mr Patel had undermined the public's trust, saying the lines were 'not only inappropriate but also potentially hazardous'. He was forced to remove the markings after just fours days after receiving an email from Blackburn Council. He was later filmed scraping the red lines off the road surface outside his home. He has since had to pay council workers almost £3,000 to add a legal drop kerb and paint an official H-bar line - a driveway protection marking. One of the red lines can be seen outside Mr Patel's house. He claimed the lines were only 'temporary' and was waiting for workers to paint the official lines on Mr Patel said: 'It was a genuine mistake - nobody has been placing themselves above the law. There have been issues with people parking in front of the property. 'Due to being a taxi driver, I need access to the property at all times, and this has been an ongoing issue 'People have been parking in front of the house. My daughter has recently passed her test, and she bought a car and also needs access to the driveway.' 'I had originally painted the red lines to mark out where the official lines should go, in case I was not home when work was due to come. It was only temporary.' The red lines were originally painted in December 2024 but the work rectify including the drop kerb has only been done recently. Cllr Patel said he had paid £2,956 for the new markings and the drop kerb - he applied to the council for the alterations. The new line is used to protect driveway access by reminding drivers that it is an access point which should not be parked across. The new official works prompted a fellow councillor and a nearby resident to call for the council to investigate the actions. A council spokesperson said Cllr Patel was contacted regarding the red lines, but confirmed the further work was legal and the councillor had paid for these services, just like any other citizen. A woman who lives in the area and asked to remain anonymous said nobody should be painting red lines on public roads outside their home. She said: 'He should not have done that in the first place.' A comment provided by Cllr Salim Sidat, on behalf of Audrey and Queens Park Cllr Amin Kapadia, said: 'I was made aware of an incident involving a resident of my ward who took it upon themselves to paint red lines on the public highway outside their property, without any authorisation from the local council. 'It is particularly concerning this individual is also a serving councillor for another ward. 'Actions such as these undermine the public's trust in elected representatives and contravene the standards expected under the Councillors' Code of Conduct. '[These lines] are not only inappropriate but also potentially hazardous. 'I have full confidence the council will take the appropriate steps to address this matter, and I support a thorough investigation to ensure transparency and accountability. Carmel Foster-Devine, Head of Highways and Transport for Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: 'Painting red lines on the road outside his house is a highways offence, and Councillor Patel received a formal letter from our highways department instructing him to remove them. 'Councillor Patel applied and paid for both the dropped kerb and the H-bar line painting outside his property, as any resident would be required to. The council have told that they recently looked into the updated line painting, following a complaint from a neighbour. They found that the H-bar line painting has been done correctly.
CTV News
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- CTV News
Morning Rush: Where did the lines on the road go?
Ottawa Watch Bill Carroll from The Morning Rush talks about a change of paint used to make road markings on streets is washing away more easily.
