Council Removes 'Wotsit Street' Markings After £300,000 Traffic Calming Scheme Backfires

Wirral Council has removed a £300,000 traffic calming measure on Grange Road West in Birkenhead, which locals had derisively nicknamed 'Wotsit Street' due to its resemblance to the cheesy snack.

The 170-yard-long markings, painted in varying shades of orange, were installed last autumn as part of a scheme to make the road a one-way street and slow down traffic, with street furniture placed along the painted lines. However, the scheme faced backlash from residents who found the markings gaudy and pointless.

After a year, the council has admitted the scheme was unsuccessful and has borne the cost of its removal, although the exact figure for the cleanup has not been disclosed. The authority had previously awarded a £2.9 million contract to construction firm Graham for various revitalization projects, part of which funded the road markings.

Locals expressed frustration over the waste of taxpayers' money. "Completely pointless and a waste of money," said Theresa, a 68-year-old resident. Another local, Debbie Taylor, described the markings as an "eyesore" that did not fit the area. Some residents, however, expressed minor regret, with one noting they would miss the benches installed as part of the scheme.

While the distinctive orange markings have been removed, the one-way system implemented alongside the paint job has been retained. Council leader Paula Basnett stated that the one-way system was kept because it improved traffic flow and would create more parking spaces to support local businesses. She acknowledged that the markings had "put Birkenhead on the map, for maybe the wrong reasons," adding that the trial provided valuable data for future road planning.

The street furniture and planters that were part of the original scheme are to be donated to local schools and community groups. The council had consulted the public before awarding the contract in March 2024, but ultimately reversed course due to "significant concerns" raised by the community. Joy Langshaw described the markings as "a bit much... (as if) Pollock and Dali had a child."