Fed-up road safety vigilante paints his own double yellow lines on street

Ellen Manning
Updated ·2 min read
A local road safety vigilante was caught on camera hand-painting double yellow lines in Walmer near Deal, Kent. (SWNS)
A local road safety vigilante was caught on camera hand-painting double yellow lines in Walmer near Deal, Kent. (SWNS)

A road safety vigilante has been spotted painting double yellow lines on a residential street amid an ongoing row over parking in the area.

The nameless road painter was pictured hand painting double yellow lines at a junction on the road in Walmer near Deal, Kent.

The move comes amid long-running problems with parking on the estate, where residents claim they can't get out of their driveways due to drivers from outside the area leaving their cars on the road.

Dangerous parking on the narrow road makes some junctions hazardous and has prompted neighbours to put up signs asking motorists not to park opposite their houses.

But it appears one resident has taken matters into their own hands, painting the double yellow lines himself.

The estate often has problems with drivers from outside the area leaving their cars on the road, causing havoc along the winding road. (SWNS)
The estate often has problems with drivers from outside the area leaving their cars on the road, causing havoc along the winding road. (SWNS)

The move has garnered praise from fellow locals, with one anonymous neighbour saying he "deserves a medal" and the issue sparking a flurry of comments on the Deal Noticeboard Facebook page.

Resident Marleen Ditton said: "I agree with the lines being placed there. The corner is difficult to come round if there are cars parked there."

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Fellow local Quentin Michell, added: "I agree with it being done. There has been one woman who has parked too close to the corner, which can cause an accident."

Neighbour Mark Harding said: "It does need some kind of restriction and lots of people have been saying it."

His wife Carole Harding added: "The junction is dangerous when turning."

The hand-painted lines sparked praise from some people in the neighbourhood, with one saying the vigilante 'deserved a medal'. (SWNS)
The hand-painted lines sparked praise from some people in the neighbourhood, with one saying the vigilante 'deserved a medal'. (SWNS)

The identity of the man remains a mystery, but some residents admitted such a step should have been left to the local council.

Carolyn Wood, a vicar from the area, added: "I assume it was the council that had done it."

Carole Harding added: "I'm not saying I'm against those yellow lines being put there but they should have been put by the council. It's not something you should do on your own."

Kent County Council said workers would be covering up the makeshift yellow lines.

A spokesman said: "We are aware of the double yellow lines in Downlands. These are not an authorised restriction, and we are working with the local authority to arrange for appropriate remedial work to be carried out."

A spokesman for Dover District Council added: "We are aware of this matter, and are working with Kent County Council on this. Kent County Council is leading on this as the highways authority."