Stoke-on-Trent City Council painted a bright yellow “School Keep Clear” sign on Greedock Street in Longton, Staffordshire, despite the former school site having been demolished and turned into housing fifteen years ago. Residents discovered the error last week and immediately questioned who would foot the bill for correcting it, while also fearing parking fines on their own street.

Greedock Street’s misplaced “School Keep Clear” sign

The council’s road crew applied the signage on a residential road that has not hosted a school since Edensor Technology College closed in 2011 and was replaced by 193 homes last year. According to the report, the yellow stencil even featured an upside‑down “S”, underscoring the lack of on‑site verification.

Residents fear parking fines and demand cost accountability

Seventy‑two‑year‑old former landlord Ali Hassan, who lives next to the sign, warned that motorists could now be ticketed for parking in front of their own houses . he asked, “How much is it going to cost to fix and who is going to pay for it?” and called for a clear explanation of which counncil department authorised the work.

Taxpayers Alliance flags the error as a bureaucratic waste

Benjamin Elks, grassroots development manager at the Taxpayers Alliance, said the incident exemplifies “wasteful bureaucratic blunder” that diverts attention from genuine problems such as potholes on neighbouring streets. He noted that the council resurfaced Greedock Street despite it not needing repair, while nearby roads remain riddled with potholes.

Council leader apologises and pledges a review

Jane Ashworth, Labour leader of Stoke‑on‑Trent City Council, told the BBC the mistake was “a mess” and that the authority would review how the signage was approved. She assured residents that no tickets would be issued for parking on the newly marked double yellow line and promised a swift removal of the markings.

Who approved the signage and what will it cost?

The source indicates that no one on the ground appears to have questioned the presence of a school, raising concerns about internal checks. As of now, the council has not disclosed the financial impact of repainting the road or rmeoving the sign, leaving taxpayers in the dark about the ultimate expense.