DIY road markings on a corner beset by traffic woes have been branded “stupid” and “utterly disrespectful”.
A frustrated Linthorpe resident has taken matters into their own hands on the corner of Windermere Road and Rockliffe Road – painting “Keap Claer plz” and “Keep Kleere plz” on the junction.
Council teams were due to paint double yellow lines on the corner in a matter of weeks but the coronavirus outbreak put paid to the work.
Exasperated deputy mayor Antony High slammed the culprit and urged residents to contact the authority to help track them down.
He said: “It is utterly disrespectful to our town. If we find who this person is, we will be taking legal action.
“We still need to function as a council and there are certain things we just cannot accept.
“People just taking it on themselves to paint lines is something we will challenge.
“It’s inappropriate, it’s a waste of resources to fix it and the finances are tight enough without having to address anti-social behaviour.”
Pictures of the misspelt warnings attracted a mixture of derision and support on social media – with some criticising Cllr High for highlighting the markings during the covid-19 crisis.
But Cllr High said the frustrated resident should have raised their worries through the proper channels.
“It’s not acceptable behaviour,” he added. “I know it’s not the biggest issue at the moment but we still need to function and we still need to keep Middlesbrough clean and safe.”
Traffic problems are nothing new on the stretch.
Linthorpe councillor Philippa Storey lodged a request to get double yellow lines painted in October in response to cars parking over dropped kerbs and access troubles for emergency vehicles.
Cllr Storey said: “That’s why I can understand the frustration because it is terrible.
“You do get some idiots who do park there – and regular cases of bin lorries not being able to get in.”
The ward member also pointed to the safety of residents from the nearby care home – and believed Middlesbrough Council should have painted the double yellows when they resurfaced the path.
“It’s been an ongoing war against silly drivers – and we were just about to get double yellow lines,” added Cllr Storey.
“It’s frustrating for everybody.”
On Wednesday afternoon, workers were seen to be removing the markings.
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