Wiggly road markings: North Somerset Council votes to scrap project that cost £1.5M

Britain's ‘most bonkers' wiggly road markings are to be scrapped, bringing the total cost to more than £1.5M.

The wiggly markings, located on the seafront in Clevedon, Somerset, were introduced to increase road safety but have left drivers and cyclists confused over where to go.

Locals slammed the wiggly lines, which are 400 metres in length, when they first appeared in January 2023. Residents took part in a fancy dress ‘conga line’ protest amidst widespread ridicule of the project.

North Somerset Council has now voted to have them removed. This will be at an additional cost of £425k. The budget for the seafront scheme was £201,000, but this has now risen to £1.3M.

£50K which was earmarked for vital repairs to the town’s ancient slipway has been diverted to fund the work. Without the cash, Clevedon Sailing Club fear the slipway could wash away, ending centuries of boating in the town.

At the Executive Committee on March 27, Cllr Hannah Young said: "We have got to be really clear, in any schemes that we do going forward, that we are getting them as right as possible in respect of aspects of safety, and the multi-users in particular areas. I think that is complex and I think there has been learning in this for everyone."

North Somerset MP Sir Liam Fox said: "Clevedon Sailing Club are just one of the groups in North Somerset who are paying the price for the incompetent management of the seafront.

"A project that nobody wanted has massively overrun its budget and now funds are being redirected from other areas to fill the gap. What a disgraceful state of affairs. Who at North Somerset Council will carry the can?"