By ARTHUR PARASHAR
Britain's 'most bonkers' wiggly road markings - which wreaked havoc on drivers and cyclists and sparked widespread protests - have finally been removed in a humiliating blow to the council who wasted £1.5million of taxpayers' cash on them.
The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022.
The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million.
North Somerset council said the lines helped make the road feel narrower, which would help reduce the speed of motorists.
But the new seafront layout sparked derision and anger among locals and visitors who could no longer park their vehicles facing towards the sea to enjoy the stunning views across the Bristol Channel.
The traffic scheme - described by the RAC as one of the 'most bizarre' it has ever seen - was reviewed and the decision made to reinstate the original parking and remove the wobbly lines.
The work, which took 13 weeks to complete and cost a further £500,000, was finally completed at the weekend.
The works re-introduced sea facing parking, removed the two-way cycle path, the yellow brick road, the wavy line and made way for a mini-roundabout.
'Britain's most bonkers' road markings have finally been removed - three years after confusing motorists and widespread protest over the eyewatering £1.5million cost
The notorious road markings, dubbed the 'yellow brick road', were met with a wave of criticism and confusion when first laid down on the Georgian seafront at Clevedon, north Somerset, in 2022
Pictured is the road without the road markings, where the cars can be seen facing the sea front
North Somerset council said the works would 'improve' pedestrian crossing points.
Resident Cathy Hawkins who set up the campaign group 'Save our Seafront' said the scheme was a 'disaster' and a 'complete waste of money'.
Cathy, who claims the scheme cost £2million, said: 'They made themselves a laughing stock in the country.
'I don't think it is much better than it was before and it is a complete waste of £2million.
'It is still one way and it still causes real traffic issues - I'm not particularly happy that it is not in the initial way but it's better than it was. '
She claimed her campaign group 'begged' the council to refuse going ahead with the project.
Ms Hawkins added: 'This is the outcome of not listening to their residents.
'They refused to speak to us and they went ahead.
'It was a ridiculous scheme that was dangerous. People could open their doors onto the cycle lane which meant people could get knocked down their bikes.
'There were massive issues reported - it was an awful design in the first place.
The wavy lines, cycle lane and one way system were installed along Beach Road as part of a scheme to slow traffic and discourage roadside parking at a cost of more than £1million
This is the roundabout which has been restored back to its original state after the backlash
The RAC described it as one of the 'most bizarre new road schemes' it had ever seen
Council bosses originally set aside £201,000 for the scheme, but due to unforeseen costs that amount ballooned to £1.5m. Pictured: Campaigners hold a protest against the lines in 2023
The wiggly lines are being removed in Clevedon, Somerset, following the outrage
'They need to do what the residents wants not what the council wants.
'They are putting these schemes all over the country. This has got to stop - councilors are not there to force things onto people. People are fed up with it.'
The initial plans were originally met with heavy criticism from local residents - who even staged a 'conga line' protest in fancy dress amidst widespread media ridicule of the project.
North Somerset Council has been approached for comment.