Work to remove Birkenhead's infamous 'Wotsit Street' is to begin this month, the leader of Wirral Council has confirmed. Traffic-calming measures introduced on Grange Road West last year have proven highly controversial.
Controversial trial
The road was made one-way and decorated with street furniture and planters as part of a trial. The street's bright orange and yellow road markings, which the council at the time labelled "eye-catching", have been widely ridiculed for looking like the cheese-flavoured snack.
Following a six-month trial the council confirmed the furniture would be removed and parking would be reinstated on the road. Officials at the time said the introduction of the brightly-coloured road markings in particular had "generated significant concern".
Council leader's admission
Council leader Paula Basnett has now confirmed the street furniture and planters on the road will be removed "by the end of August", in an appearance on BBC Radio Merseyside.
Cllr Basnett said the around £300,000 spent on the road was "a waste of money." She added: "It was not appropriate to have street furniture and planters on that particular road."
The leader said the introduction of traffic calming measures on the road was the right thing to do, stating the road should be one-way. However she said: "Should it have been orange? Absolutely not."
Removal and donation
Cllr Basnett said she fully agreed with a member of the public who said the road looks like it has been designed following a children's competition.
The road is set to be closed for work on the road to take place. The orange and yellow markings are expected to be removed in September, Cllr Basnett said, adding: "We are putting it right."
The leader confirmed that all the street furniture and planters will be donated to local schools and voluntary organisations.
