'Ugly and lurid' road markings appear in town overnight - and locals are fuming

15 February 2024 , 16:41

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Dazzling road markings were branded ugly and lurid have left residents seeing red (Image: No credit)

Residents of a town in Kent are seeing red over "ugly and lurid" road markings that appeared overnight.

The fluorescent paintwork, laid down at nine junctions in Herne Bay, is to warn drivers they're entering a new 20mph zone. But the "hideous" strips have sparked complaints, with many people calling them "over the top" and unnecessary.

However, highways bosses said the bright scarlet colour is "most appropriate to provide a contrast" for drivers approaching the new restricted area. John Sheering, 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. He thought it was just normal roadworks but was shocked to see the new markings later that morning. "The road markings are way too much," he said. "They look awful too." He believes a simple 20mph roundel would have been enough. He also pointed out the irony that the 20mph zone turns into 30mph in the surrounding roads, which are narrow, heavily parked and would benefit from a lower speed limit.

Highways bosses said the bright scarlet colour is "most appropriate to provide a contrast" for drivers (No credit)

Sue Perry, who runs Broadway Butchers with her husband Dave, has called the new road markings "hideous". She said: "They are lurid, over the top and spoil the area. We had no warning and it's just a waste of money."

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James Wightman, owner of Herne Bay Motorcycles, also voiced his disappointment, saying: "The crazy thing is that they even painted over a pothole - perhaps they should tackle them first." He added: "To be honest, we could do with a 20mph limit in The Broadway because it can be like a race track."

The idea for a 20mph zone was first announced in 2021 and given the go-ahead after a public consultation in 2022. It's part of a wider scheme to encourage walking and cycling, funded by an Active Travel government grant. However, locals say they weren't warned about the bright road markings and have taken to social media to express their dismay.

"They look horrendous," added Ian Sargent. "Planning law is that they should be in keeping with their surroundings, but how on Earth is this in keeping?"

John Davies wrote: "This is so ugly. What moron came up with this idea because it looks like a scene of mass carnage?"

The idea for the 20mph zone was first announced in 2021 (No credit)

Herne Bay city and county councillor Dan Watkins, who was instrumental in bringing the 20mph zone to the town, admits the colour is "a little garish" and that concerns have been raised with him directly. But he added: "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."

Kent County Council, which is installing the scheme, said nine "red entrance patches" have been painted across Herne Bay as part of the new 20pmh zone, with white "20" markings set to be added when the weather allows. A spokesman added: "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 encourage self-enforcement. 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."

Gerry Warren