BLUNDERING council workers have erected new speed safety signs outside a school which obscure the very thing they are trying to promote.

Earlier this month, two signs stating ‘Patrol 20 when lights show’ were put up in both directions on the approach to North Park Infants School, on St Andrew’s Road, in Spennymoor.

However, they have been put up so close to the signs that flash up when it is a 20mph zone, that motorists can no longer see the original signs advising them on the speed limit.

Durham County Council officers say the signs are part of ongoing works and the flashing signs will be moved – but motorists say the signs have been in place for nearly two weeks.

One resident, who often drops his grandson off at the school, said: “It is ludicrous. You can’t see both the signs. There have been problems with cars speeding but this just makes a mockery of the situation.

“The signs were put up to improve road safety but this has just made it worse. They have done exactly the same at each end.

“I am hoping they are going to move one of the signs but they have been up a week and a half so far. Surely someone should have said something when they came to put them up. It is clear they are in the wrong place.”

John Reed, Durham County Council’s head of technical services, said: “The ongoing works on St Andrews Road are part of our ‘Schools 20 mile per hour Part-Time Speed Limits Project’.

“As part of this work, we have recently installed the new ’20 when lights flash’ sign.

“The flashing light unit will be transferred to the new signpost and works are now ongoing to get the old signpost removed.”

North Park Infants School is one of a number schools across County Durham signed up to the Schools 20 mile per hour Part-Time Speed Limits Project.

Twenty miles per hour limits have been brought in outside schools during drop off and pick up times.

In addition, the Slow to 20 for Safer Streets project is providing road safety education for children to encourage walking and cycling.