Locals have been left furious after ‘hideous’ red road markings were painted at nine different junctions in just one town.
Kent council commissioned the fluorescent paintwork in Herne Bay to warn drivers that they are entering a new 20mph zone.
But residents have blasted the ‘hideous’ strips, with many branding them ‘over the top’ and unnecessary.
Kent council defended their decision, saying the markings provide a ‘clear indication to drivers’.
They added that the colour of the boundary was ‘most appropriate’ to provide a contrast.
John Sheering, who lives near one of the newly painted sections at the junction of Selsea Avenue and Sea Street said contractors arrived at 2am, filling his road with flashing bright lights and heavy machinery.
Locals have been left furious after ‘hideous’ red road markings were painted at nine different junctions in just one town
John Sheering (pictured), who lives near one of the newly painted sections, said contractors arrived at 2am, filling his road with flashing bright lights and heavy machinery
‘My dog alerted me – it was like a spaceship had landed,’ he said.
‘I looked out of the window to see what the commotion was and thought it was just normal roadworks.’
The retired policeman says he went out later that morning and was shocked to see what had appeared just yards from his doorstep.
‘The road markings are way too much,’ he said. ‘They look awful too. Surely the simple 20mph roundel would have sufficed.
‘The irony is that the 20mph zone turns into 30mph in the surrounding roads like mine, which are narrow, heavily parked and would benefit from a lower speed limit.’
Sue Perry, another local, said the markings are ‘hideous’.
‘They are lurid, over the top and spoil the area,’ she said. ‘We had no warning and it’s just a waste of money.’
James Wightman, who runs Herne Bay Motorcycles, was equally unimpressed.
‘The crazy thing is that they even painted over a pothole – perhaps they should tackle them first,’ he said.
‘To be honest, we could do with a 20mph limit in The Broadway because it can be like a race track. But instead, that’s where the new restriction ends and it’s back to 30mph.’
Sue Perry, another local, said the markings, were ‘hideous’
Herne Bay city and county councillor Dan Watkins, who was instrumental in bringing the 20mph zone to the town, admitted the colour is ‘a little garish’
Herne Bay city and county councillor Dan Watkins, who was instrumental in bringing the 20mph zone to the town, admitted the colour is ‘a little garish’ and that concerns have been raised with him directly.
He said: ‘I have been reassured by our highway engineers that it will mellow over time, and that has been the experience in other locations.
‘But perhaps it is good to be bright at the start so it gets the message across and everyone is aware.
‘There were 66 recorded road accidents in the area now covered by the 20mph zone in the last five years, and that is what we need to reduce.’
A Kent County Council (KCC) spokesperson said: ‘Nine red entrance patches have been installed in Herne Bay to support the 20mph zone and the ’20’ paint will be added when the weather allows.
‘The markings provide a clear indication to drivers that they are entering the new speed restriction area. The colour is considered most appropriate to provide a contrast, therefore highlighting the boundary and encouraging self-enforcement. The colour will fade in time.
‘The total cost of the entrance boundaries is in the region of £14,000 and was paid for through government funding provided as part of KCC’s Active Travel scheme bid.’