Sandwich residents mock gas company SGN over half-finished paint job on 20mph road marking in New Street
Published: 15:00, 31 August 2024
Updated: 15:22, 31 August 2024
A half-finished paint job on a Kent road has been described as a perfect example of “not my job, mate” culture.
Gas company SGN has been carrying out works in Dover Road and New Street in Sandwich throughout the summer.
The network upgrades are now finally complete - but that is more than can be said for the repainting of a 20mph marking near the Malcolm Waite petrol station.
SGN workers have only put a fresh coat of white on the sections of the road they had to dig up, leaving glaring gaps.
A spokesman for the gas company says it is “responsible for reinstating the areas we’ve disturbed”.
But after being contacted by KentOnline, the firm says it is liaising with Kent County Council (KCC) to get it fully repainted.
A picture of the “bonkers” road marking was shared on social media, and one resident quipped that it was “‘not my job, mate’ culture”.
Others described it as ridiculous, hilarious and unbelievable, while another said: “I thought this was a joke at first.”
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, told KentOnline: "Where SGN workers] have damaged the road marking, they have then repainted where they have done the digging.
"They've then painted part of the original sign - but the rest of it has been left.
"I understand there may well be a very good reason why it has been done the way it has.
"But it just doesn't seem like common sense - there should be some sort of liaison and reciprocal arrangement between SGN and KCC.
"So it's just bonkers to have this kind of thing happen."
SGN spokesman Dan Brown said: "Following any work to repair or replace our gas pipes, we always carry out a process of reinstatement to restore the road surface to its original condition.
"We’re responsible for reinstating the areas we’ve disturbed. However, we’re liaising with the local authority to get the road marking in New Street fully repainted by our team as soon as we can."
KCC was also approached for comment.
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Joe Harbert