Wirral Council has removed 20mph speed limit warnings from a road in Wallasey just weeks after they were painted, citing an installation error. The removal has left visible burn marks on the road surface and prompted criticism from residents regarding wasted resources.
The markings on Norwood Road were scrubbed off after the council confirmed they were placed incorrectly due to a misinterpretation of the work plan. Despite the removal of the painted warnings, the official 20mph speed limit on the street remains in effect.
Key Takeaways
- Newly painted 20mph road markings on Norwood Road in Wallasey have been removed.
- Wirral Council confirmed the markings were "put down in the wrong place" due to a planning error.
- The removal process has left burn marks on the road, drawing criticism from local residents.
- The legal 20mph speed limit on Norwood Road is unchanged and remains active.
- The incident has caused confusion among residents about the council's wider 20mph speed limit scheme.
Council Acknowledges Planning Mistake
Residents of Norwood Road in Wallasey noted the appearance of new 20mph speed limit warnings approximately one month ago. However, contractors returned to the site this week to burn the fresh markings off the tarmac.
The sudden removal led to questions about the purpose and cost of the work. In response to inquiries, Wirral Council clarified the situation, attributing the action to a simple but costly mistake.
A Wirral Council spokesman stated: "There were two markings put down in the wrong place due to a misread of the work plan. Once this was identified, arrangements were made to rectify the error, which is what has been happening."
The council has affirmed that while the painted warnings were incorrectly placed, the designated 20mph speed limit for the residential street is still legally enforceable. The error was limited to the physical markings and does not reflect a change in traffic policy for the area.
Public Frustration Over 'Waste of Money'
The incident has been met with dismay and frustration by Wallasey residents, many of whom took to social media to voice their concerns. The primary criticisms focused on the apparent waste of public funds and the poor appearance of the road following the removal.
Prominent burn marks are now visible where the markings once were, which one resident described as looking "ridiculous." The visual state of the road has become a focal point of the local discussion.
One person commenting online called the situation "a joke," while another labelled it "a waste of money." The sentiment was widely shared, with many questioning the logic behind the costly removal process.
Resident Reactions
Online discussions highlighted public sentiment, with one person asking: "That’s pointless...wasting more money and resources to remove it than just leaving it there, it’s a 20 road anyway so why waste time removing it?"
Another user expressed similar frustration, questioning the method of removal: "Burnt off why? Could they not have just painted over it the same colour as the road, or better still not paid for them to begin with... waste of bloody money."
Confusion Amid Wider 20mph Scheme
The removal of the markings on Norwood Road has created confusion, with some residents initially believing it signalled a reversal of the council's controversial 20mph speed limit rollout. This is not the case, but the timing has added to public uncertainty.
Upon seeing the work, one resident asked, "Why are they doing this, are they back tracking on the 20mph zones?" Another person wondered if the council was lifting the speed limit itself along with removing the paint.
Background on Wirral's 20mph Rollout
Wirral Council began implementing a widespread 20mph speed limit scheme in early 2023. The project's stated goal is to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on the borough's roads. The rollout has been conducted in four phases, with the first phase alone affecting nearly 1,700 roads. The final phase, which included 22 areas and roads near 11 schools, was proposed in November of last year.
The scheme has been a significant undertaking and a topic of frequent public debate. The error on Norwood Road, while isolated, occurs within this broader context of major changes to Wirral's road network.
Operational Errors and Public Accountability
While the council has explained the removal as a necessary correction, the incident raises questions about the planning and execution of public works. Errors like this, which involve initial installation followed by a costly removal, often undermine public confidence and lead to accusations of inefficiency.
The process of removing thermoplastic road markings typically involves heat or high-pressure water jetting, both of which require specialised equipment and labour. For residents, this translates directly to public funds being spent to correct an avoidable mistake.
The council's statement confirms a "misread of the work plan," an operational failure that has resulted in both a financial cost and a negative public reaction. As the broader 20mph scheme continues to be implemented across the borough, residents will be watching closely for signs of improved project management and communication.