'Eyesore' Mill Dam road markings improved by council after complaints

New road markings in a historic South Shields street have been improved after sparking anger among residents who branded them an ‘eyesore.’
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Mill Dam, one of the last remaining cobbled streets left in South Tyneside, had sections covered with tar and new road markings to enforce parking measures earlier in April.

Freshly marked double yellow lines were painted down one side of the street by popular pubs The Waterfront and The Steamboat, while another strip of the road was covered in tarmac and white lines added to indicate parking restrictions.

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But the work was met with anger among residents who called them an ‘eyesore’ and raised complaints over parking issues caused by the new markings.

Improvements made on the Mill Dam road markings.Improvements made on the Mill Dam road markings.
Improvements made on the Mill Dam road markings.

South Shields MP Emma Lewell-Buck was among those who called for the road to be restored, calling the markings ‘ghastly.’

South Tyneside Council admitted the work was not up to their standards and after complaints were raised said they are looking to review the situation at Mill Dam ‘as a matter of urgency.’

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Now the council has confirmed that improvement work has been carried out at Mill Dam, with the tarmac markings now repainted and made smaller in size to have less of an impact on the cobbles road.

The improved Mill Dam road markings.The improved Mill Dam road markings.
The improved Mill Dam road markings.
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It said the work was carried out within a ‘couple of days’ of the initial road markings going down.

A South Tyneside Council spokeswoman said: “Following concerns from residents and businesses, the council has taken swift action to address and improve road markings at Mill Dam.

“The new markings come after recently-completed consultation with local people, and as part of these works existing road markings were also refreshed.”

Mill Dam is one of the most historic parts of South Shields, with its cobbled streets and fine buildings making it an architectural and heritage jewel on South Tyneside.

How the new road markings first looked before the impovement work was carried out.How the new road markings first looked before the impovement work was carried out.
How the new road markings first looked before the impovement work was carried out.
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The name derives from a mill that stood here in the thirteenth century.

The area is well known due to its riverside location and being home to The Customs House theater and arts venue.

It has previously been used as a filming location for the TV detective series Vera.

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