Dazzling road markings branded “ugly and lurid” have left residents seeing red after appearing across a Kent town in the dead of night.

The fluorescent paintwork has been laid down at nine junctions in Herne Bay to warn motorists they are entering a new 20mph zone.

But the “hideous” strips have already sparked a flood of complaints, with many people branding them “over the top” and unnecessary.

However, highways bosses insist the bright scarlet colour is considered “most appropriate to provide a contrast” for drivers approaching the new restricted area.

John Sheering lives near one of the newly painted sections at the junction of Selsea Avenue and Sea Street.

He says contractors arrived at 2am, filling his road with flashing bright lights and heavy machinery.

“My dog alerted me - it was like a spaceship had landed,” he said.

“I looked out of the window to see what the commotion was and thought it was just normal roadworks.”

The retired policeman says he went out later that morning and was shocked to see what had appeared just yards from his doorstep.

“The road markings are way too much,” he said. “They look awful too.

“Surely the simple 20mph roundel would have sufficed.

“The irony is that the 20mph zone turns into 30mph in the surrounding roads like mine, which are narrow, heavily parked and would benefit from a lower speed limit.”

Sue Perry, whose husband Dave runs the Broadway Butchers in The Broadway, says the markings are “hideous”

“They are lurid, over the top and spoil the area,” she said. “We had no warning and it’s just a waste of money.”

James Wightman, who runs Herne Bay Motorcycles in The Broadway, is equally unimpressed.

“The crazy thing is that they even painted over a pothole - perhaps they should tackle them first,” he added.

“To be honest, we could do with a 20mph limit in The Broadway because it can be like a race track. But instead, that’s where the new restriction ends and it’s back to 30mph.”

The idea for a 20mph zone in the town was first announced in 2021, with the project given the green light following a public consultation in 2022.

It is being introduced to complement a separate - and controversial - scheme that has seen a ‘Spanish-style’ plaza installed on Herne Bay seafront alongside a new one-way system in the surrounding roads.

All of the projects have been funded through an Active Travel government grant in a bid to encourage walking and cycling, with the 20mph zone set to be completed by the end of this month.

But residents say they were not warned about the bright road markings, with many taking to social media to express their dismay.

“Woke up to another red mini plaza at the junction of Albany Drive and Sea Street,” says Sue Harris.

“These covert missions are completed in darkness to avoid questions. Not only do they look awful but they are pointless. I can’t bear what they are doing to our lovely town.”

“They look horrendous,” adds Ian Sargent. “Planning law is that they should be in keeping with their surroundings, but how on earth is this in keeping?”

John Davies wrote: “This is so ugly. What moron came up with this idea because it looks like a scene of mass carnage?”

Herne Bay city and county councillor Dan Watkins, who was instrumental in bringing the 20mph zone to the town, admits the colour is "a little garish" and that concerns have been raised with him directly.

But he adds: “I have been reassured by our highway engineers that it will mellow over time, and that has been the experience in other locations.

"But perhaps it is good to be bright at the start so it gets the message across and everyone is aware.

"There were 66 recorded road accidents in the area now covered by the 20mph zone in the last five years, and that is what we need to reduce."

Kent County Council, which is installing the scheme, says nine “red entrance patches” have been painted across Herne Bay as part of the new 20pmh zone, with white “20” markings set to be added when the weather allows.

A spokesman added: “The markings provide a clear indication to drivers that they are entering the new speed restriction area.

“The colour is considered most appropriate to provide a contrast, therefore highlighting the boundary and encourage self-enforcement.

“The total cost of the entrance boundaries is in the region of £14,000 and was paid for through government funding provided as part of KCC’s Active Travel scheme bid.”