Yellow line cost taxpayers 'a staggering £5,000' - but is only big enough for toy cars

The one metre line in Greenman Street, Islington, North London has been branded a waste of money.

Islington's Labour group has calculated that including the consultation, legal fees and workmen's wages, the metre-long line cost Islington Council and the taxpayer £5,000.

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The only vehicles likely to get a ticket there are bemused motorist Tony Allen's selection of toy cars.

He said: "It is rather spectacular.

"I do wonder how the conversation went in the office when they were planning it. What did the workman think when he came and painted it?

"I am not even sure if a Noddy car would fit in there."

Mr Allen, an actor, who appeared in the first cult Hellraiser movie, added: "Why not just join the two parking bays up?

"It is blind obedience to the rules - and common sense goes right out of the window."

Labour councillor James Murray said: "It makes you laugh until you realise the mind-boggling cost to the taxpayer of this latest blunder.

"The Lib Dems should be focusing on fixing the potholes that litter so many of our streets - not painting barmy little lines."

But Lib Dem councillor Lucy Watt, Islington Council's executive member for environment, said: "The figure of £5,000 is wildly innacurate. It actually cost 98p to paint the line.

"It was put in as part of a much wider parking scheme, which is designed to meet residents' needs.

"But even if you included consultation costs and officer time, the figure would still be nowhere near £5,000."

She explained that the yellow line divides bays for residents from those for business and pay-and-display parking.

"People hate getting parking tickets when they park in the wrong bay by accident. The yellow line divides these bays and makes this difference clear."