A mystery person has put fake signs in an area of a city to mislead people into believing parking is restricted to residents only.
Someone in Bath, Somerset has taken it upon themselves to create a new ‘F’ Residents Parking Zone in the upmarket Sion Hill area.
The parking signs appear to have been adapted with a stick on letter F.
Residents in Sion Hill and Summerhill Road Bath noticed a prankster had erected unofficial parking restriction signs on lamp posts near Spa University’s Sion Hill campus
The signs look genuine but the council confirmed they had been erected without permission
Bath and North East Somerset Council Highways team said they will remove the signs
One problem – Zone F does not even exist under the Bath and North East Somerset Council parking scheme which goes from 1-16 and A, B, and C only.
One resident said: ‘I’ve seen them – I’m not sure where they came from.
‘They weren’t put up during the day.
‘Whether there’s a bit of Banksy going on at night time I don’t know.’
Another added: ‘It’s clever – they look professional and are clearly not professional.
‘Whether anyone is fooled by them I don’t know.’
Locals said there were about 18 of the fake signs spread across the two streets
Bath and North East Somerset Council Highways team said it was on the case and would be removing the signs.
The area is near Bath Spa University’s Sion Hill campus which houses the art and design school meaning lots of students park their cars there.
It’s also an area used by people to avoid city centre parking charges.
Another resident said: ‘I believe it does suit the residents, and long may it remain.’
There are around fake 18 signs on the two streets.
The signs are not illegal to make, and similar versions can even be purchased online.
However, it is illegal to put the signs up.
A spokesman for Bath and North East Somerset council said: ‘The council did not install these metal signs but is taking action to remove them as they have been illegally placed on the highway.
‘The metal will be recycled.
‘The council maintains a number of residents’ parking zones across Bath but there is not a zone ‘F’ in existence.
‘Only the highways authority is authorised to place signage and restrictions on the highway, in accordance with the appropriate regulations and public consultation.’
The council said after removing the illegal signs they will send the metal for recycling