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Homeowners Are Fuming With Huge Red Marks Painted On Driveways Outside Their Houses

Homeowners Are Fuming With Huge Red Marks Painted On Driveways Outside Their Houses

Locals are not happy with the Middlesbrough Council's decision to implement the red markings outside their homes.

Anish Vij

Anish Vij

Homeowners in Middlesbrough are furious with the council's decision to implement red-painted tarmac outside their homes to alert cyclists of areas where cars might pull out of their driveway.

The council have introduced the red areas on Low Lane, in Acklam, Middlesbrough in an attempt to improve cyclist safety in the area.

However, locals aren't best pleased with the paintwork, with some labelling it as an 'eyesore'.

The paintwork that has been labeled as an 'eyesore'.
Terry Blackburn

Frances Jackson, 83, believes that the cycle route isn't safe for residents and she told Teesside Live: "The point is, as soon as we go out there, we are not used to looking for bikes.

"So I think it's a bit dangerous for the bike track to be here, I really do.

"We go out and you can get knocked over very easily.

"I feel sorry for them, the bike lot, but not everybody uses the route. It's only the really young ones who go up and down, but they don't abuse it or anything.

"It's just a mess, it's an eyesore."

Gerry and Tony Butterfield, a married couple who live on Low Lane, were also not loving the new implementation.

"Cyclists will know there are drives coming out because there are houses there," Gerry reasoned.

Tony, 76, added: "It's gone from tarmac city to toy town. The road has lost its character with the grass verges gone. It used to have a character of its own but it's gone now.

"It's awful, why couldn't they have done it green, even that wouldn't have been so bad."

Part of the frustration was that some residents didn't believe the cycle path was even being used.

Residents don't think cyclists are even using the new cycle paths.
Alamy

Tony said: "I think I have seen, five at the most, using it, they just stay on the road. It's not worth it for them, they have to go to the traffic lights and change the side of the road.

"Cyclists don't want to do that.

"We do get a lot of, almost semi-professional cyclists in their lycra, they do come down on a Sunday. Perhaps ten together, but they don't use the lane."

According to Teesside Live, a Middlesbrough Council spokesperson said: "This cycle route part of a wider Council drive to create a cohesive network, enabling as many people as possible to undertake sustainable journeys.

"Low Lane and Ladgate Lane form a major strategic east/west transport corridor for the borough and beyond, and this scheme is part of our long-term aim of creating a more joined-up network for all highway users."

Featured Image Credit: Terry Blackburn

Topics: UK News