Residents mock council over bright blue junction on resort's 'golden mile'

Locals are angry after a council painted part of a seaside resort's famous "golden mile" bright blue.

People in Paignton, Devon, said the colour of the road measure resembles a "swimming pool" or a "dance floor".

One young girl even asked if a new playground had been installed.

Torbay Council said the new colour scheme, which also uses some red, is to make the Torbay Road junction with Garfield Road and Queen's Road safer for motorists and pedestrians by providing "greater clarity".

It comes after the road was previously – and controversially – pedestrianised. It opened back up to cars this week.

Locals took to social media to ridicule the new colour scheme.

Writing on Facebook group Spotted Paignton, residents labelled the work a "waste of money" that demanded explanation.

One person wrote: "How lovely, can't wait to get the chalk out and do some hopscotch."

One mother said: "Me and my daughter looked at this [this] afternoon. She said: 'Are they putting in a playground, mum?' I was puzzled."

Another added: "Are they turning it into a water feature? Fountain in the middle?"

One said: "Big swimming pool. Draw some circles and we have our very own Ludo board!"

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A spokesperson for Torbay Council said: "With increased traffic at this junction, the surface contrast provides greater clarity for road users and pedestrians, ensuring all road users can use the space safely.

"The red is to remind motorists as they approach the junction to slow down and think 'Should I be driving through here?' before proceeding to turn slowly at the junction.

"The blue is to better define the carriage for pedestrians and to reflect some of the place-making ambitions for a permanent scheme.”