THIS Merseyside seaside area has loads of streets without road markings – but why?

Every day, hundreds of cars navigate around New Brighton – turning into and out of streets particularly around the Magazine Promenade area – with no ‘give way’ signs or road markings.

The Injury Lawyers website says “chaos” can often be caused when markings are not present or sufficient, and if an accident occurs, it can be very difficult to legally determine blame.

But according to Wirral council, there is no legal requirement – and they are only provided “where needed”.

A local authority spokesman said: “Where existing markings need to be repainted, they will be as part of routine maintenance.

“However, in the vast majority of these examples, there have never been give-way markings as they are junctions of local, minor roads.

“Give-way markings are provided only where needed – where minor roads meet with busier roads and on roundabouts, for example.”

A local business owner in the area whose firm operates close to one of the junctions told the Local Democracy Service she didn’t know why there were no markings in place, but that she hadn’t heard of problems in the past.

In terms of the highway code, drivers are warned that no one has priority at unmarked crossroads.

It tells drivers: “Remember that other drivers may assume they have the right to go. No type of vehicle has priority but it’s courteous to give way to large vehicles. Also look out in particular for cyclists and motorcyclists.”

Elected representative Cllr Pat Hackett of the New Brighton ward said he had not been made aware of requests for new markings from any residents, adding: “If in the opinion of the professional officer they are needed, we would certainly act on that.”

He said a good example of that was at Vaughan Road and Dalmorton Road – either side of New Brighton Primary School. He said: “Following road resurfacing, we ensured the relevant safety markings were put in place following those works.”

He added: “If markings were needed they would be in place, and certainly eagle-eyed residents would alert us to this.

“On the other side of the coin, I frequently have people complaining there are too many signs and markings, and asking us to undo all the clutter.”