Facelift planned for ‘notoriously bad’ street markings that worried wardens

By Charlotte Lillywhite, Local Democracy Reporter

A wide-scale scheme to improve “notoriously bad” street markings in one borough will be rolled out next year. 

Wandsworth council leader Simon Hogg confirmed the plans as he provided an update on the Labour-run authority’s audit of lines and signs in the borough, which are designed to make parking restrictions clear to drivers.

Parking wardens working on behalf of the council had previously complained that lines and signs were “notoriously bad” in Wandsworth. 

They said they repeatedly reported issues with faded markings and confusing signs to the council, but claimed they saw no real improvement.

Marston Holdings, which owns the council’s previous parking contractor NSL, said at the time that the authority was investing £1million to improve lines and signs. APCOA Parking took over the contract on August 1.

Labour councillor Jack Mayorcas asked for an update on the authority’s programme to restore the borough’s “long-neglected road signs” ahead of a council meeting on Wednesday.

In response, Cllr Hogg said the plans were part of the authority’s aim to correct “decades of underinvestment” in the borough, which was run by the Conservatives until 2022.

The councillor continued: “I recently asked residents to let me know if their street signs needed replacing, and there was a very positive response. 

“We replaced a number of street signs within a week, and I’d encourage councillors and residents to report faded or damaged signs so we can replace them.

“A full, wider programme of renewal for street signs and lines is being developed and will be launched in early 2025.”

Pictured top: Example of faded yellow lines in Wandsworth (Picture: Charlotte Lillywhite)