GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council (GCC) has been blasted for failing to finish painting double yellow lines on Somerford Road, Cirencester as cars were parked on the road when workmen arrived.

County and district councillor Joe Harris, from Cirencester, said Gloucestershire Highways failed to ensure cars were cleared from the road in advance and called the situation a ‘cock-up’ by GCC.

Yellow lines were painted on some parts of Somerford Road but were not painted on the bridge where the road joins with Sheep Street as cars were parked on the road when contractors Amey arrived to paint the lines last Monday.

Since 2015, residents have been calling for something to be done to the bridge by Sheep Street and Somerford Road, saying that the parked cars blocked the view of pedestrians and drivers, making it dangerous for road users.

In October 2015, Cirencester town councillors Roly Hughes and Jenny Hincks said that several pedestrians were nearly hit by cars.

County councillor for Cirencester Park, Joe Harris, last year allocated £12,000 towards the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for Somerford Road, Sheep Street and several other roads in the area.

The TRO came into force on September 11, but the yellow lines had not been scheduled to be painted until last week.

It seems, however, that residents will have to wait a few more days for cars to stop parking on the road.

Cllr Harris said he had been told by GCC that the work is hoped to be completed by next Thursday, October 19.

He said: “It’s beggars belief that the council didn’t have the foresight to ensure that cars were unable to park on this stretch of road on Monday morning.

“All it would have taken were some cones to be laid out the night before and a clear notice displayed."

In the picture below, Joe Harris shows the Standard a sign which was put up prior to the painting of yellow lines. The sign did not specify that drivers could not park on the road.

Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard: Joe Harris by a sign which was put up prior to painting of yellow lines around the Somerford Road area. The sign did not specify that drivers would not be able to park on the roadside

Cllr Harris continued: “As the lines were unable to be painted it now means that GCC will have to book in contractors again to complete the job, it’s a total cock up.

“Residents have had to wait so long for this scheme and this is another chapter in this sorry saga. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.

“An officer from GCC has told me that they hope to complete the work by October 19. If this deadline isn’t met then I’ll be making an official complaint.”

A Gloucestershire County Council spokesperson, said: “When painting new yellow lines we will attempt to complete as much work as possible during our initial visit.

"Unfortunately, in this case, vehicles were blocking part of Somerford Road. A second visit has been arranged for 18 – 19 October. Ahead of this, we will be placing parking cones and signs on site around the problem areas.

“There is no additional cost for this second visit.”