‘Britain’s most bonkers’ wiggly road markings are finally being scrapped – bringing the total cost to more than £1.5million. The infamous wiggly lines have been slammed by locals since appearing on the seafront in Clevedon, Somerset in January last year.
Photos showed road markings weaving around – leaving drivers and cyclists confused over where to go.
They went viral sparking a long campaign and North Somerset Council has now voted to have them removed – at an additional cost of £425k.
The budget for the seafront scheme was originally £201,000, but ballooned to £1.3m.
However the decision to scrap the markings is bad news for local sailors and rowers as £50k earmarked for vital repairs to the town’s ancient slipway has been diverted to fund the work.
Clevedon Sailing Club fears the loss of cash will mean the slipway could be washed away and end centuries of boating at the Victorian seaside resort.
Despite the original plan being to increase road safety in the area, the 400 metres of weaving lines had baffled both drivers and cyclists.
North Somerset Council was met with heavy criticism, as locals staged a ‘conga line’ protest in fancy dress amidst widespread ridicule of the project.
Now, the extra taxpayer funds are needed to revert the bizarre road markings.
At the Executive Committee on Wednesday (March 27), Cllr Hannah Young said: “We have got to be really clear, in any schemes that we do going forward, that we are getting them as right as possible in respect of aspects of safety, and the multi-users in particular areas.
“I think that is complex and I think there has been learning in this for everyone.”
She said that it was “phenomenally difficult” to find a scheme that allowed all types of road users to operate safely together.
Council leader Cllr Mike Bell said: “Does this mean that we will get everything right, that this is going to be perfect and that this is the ideal solution for Clevedon seafront?
“I guarantee you that it will not be because we are never going to be perfect. But are we doing it with the right intentions?
“Absolutely we are.”
North Somerset MP Sir Liam Fox recently blamed the authority for mishandling the controversial road works.
He said: “Clevedon Sailing Club are just one of the groups in North Somerset who are paying the price for the incompetent management of the seafront.
“A project that nobody wanted has massively overrun its budget and now funds are being redirected from other areas to fill the gap.
“What a disgraceful state of affairs. Who at North Somerset Council will carry the can?”
