A pensioner in Wales has been unable to use his driveway for four months after a council worker placed a 20mph speed sign right outside his cottage.
Gordon Stockham says the sign was dug into the pavement directly in front of his home after Monmouthshire county council erected new signs in September.
The Labour-run council say they mistook Stockham’s gate for a barrier when they placed the sign in Govilon, near Abergavenny.
Despite being told by council chiefs that it would be removed, the sign remains in place.
A pensioner in Wales has been unable to use his driveway for four months after a council worker placed a 20mph speed sign right outside his cottage. (Stock image)
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The 82-year-old’s family contacted Tory Wales secretary, David TC Davies who said he is concerned that it may not be the only blunder since the “absolute shambles” rollout of the new limit.
Davies said: “Thankfully there is an open entrance into the property, so access is not completely cut off. However, the sign must be removed immediately as it fully blocks the gate.
“The council has apologised for the mistake and told the family it didn’t recognise there was a gateway as it appeared to look the same as the barrier next to it.
“While I understand the signing company has been instructed to move the sign as soon as possible, we are four months down the line without any resolution and I will be writing to highways to push for immediate action.
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“Perhaps more worrying is the fact the council has admitted its contractor will be going to various locations over the next week or two ‘correcting mistakes’
“This obviously begs the question as to how many other signs have been wrongly put up across Monmouthshire.
“Not only do we have a very ill-thought-out policy, we are now finding additional money is being wasted to remove and relocate signs the Labour-run council here in Monmouthshire can’t even place correctly. It is staggering.”
The 82-year-old’s family contacted Tory Wales secretary, David TC Davies who said he is concerned that it may not be the only blunder since the ‘absolute shambles’ rollout of the new limit
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Monmouthshire County Council confirmed that they plan to remove the sign later this week.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of the situation regarding the traffic sign being placed on the public highway in front of a secondary gateway without a dropped kerb.
“We have been in contact with the resident since this was initially raised and can confirm the sign is due to be relocated the week commencing January 22.”
