Man rebuked by council for painting road signs at 'lethal' junction

Knutsford resident Peter Sharratt painted his own road markings after witnessing ‘too many near misses’.

The 71-year-old said the original signs at the town centre junction of Manchester Road and Northwich Road were removed during roadworks about a year ago and had not been replaced.

Cheshire East Council has described his mission as ‘unwise’ and has now vowed to reinstate the road markings.

Peter Sharratt got up at dawn to restore road markings after witnessing a number of 'near crashes' (Image: Public)

A council spokesman said: “Mr Sharratt may feel that his actions in spray painting his own road markings were well motivated, however, this was a dangerous action, which placed himself and other road users at risk.

“It was an unwise thing to do and in the event of any incidents, then the onus of responsibility would fall on the individual, in this case Mr Sharratt.

“The council has already scheduled works at this roundabout junction to reinstate existing road markings and undertake additional patching works, which will be carried out at the end of this month.

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“The council identifies work through an asset management approach and, due to limited budgets available, we have to prioritise work across the borough.

“In addition, the council has invested additional money into the highways budget, and this has seen the road marking budget increase for 2022/23 and 2023/24.

“Planned works at this location are due to start later this month.”

Peter Sharratt said people are very confused about which lane they should be in (Image: Public)

Peter took matters into his own hands because he said the lack of road markings had created ‘a very dangerous situation’.

The retired journalist armed himself with spray cans of white paint at 4.30am on Sunday morning.

Wearing a high vis jacket, he set out to fix the road himself.

He spent 40 minutes painting the markings and used his car to block off each lane he was working on, and hazard warning lights and traffic cones to keep himself and other motorists safe.

Peter said: “I had witnessed a number of near crashes on the roundabout by people not knowing which lane they should be on.

“When the council sanctioned contractors to dig up the road for electrical work, they should have ensured it was put back into its previous condition.

“These signs urgently need doing.

“It beggars belief that the council is now relying on a 71-year-old pensioner with a spray can to do the work we already pay them for.”

After being informed that the council has now sanctioned the remedial work, Peter said: “All I want to say is that I thank them for the fact that they will be taking action soon.”