A COUNCIL has been lambasted for wasting money on yellow road markings before asphalting them over just a week later.

In scenes "like the stuff of Monty Python" yellow markings on streets in Guiseley were repainted and then covered up again, according to driving instructor Ted Lester.

Mr Lester contacted the Wharfedale Observer to criticise Leeds City Council for wasting money at a time of austerity and cutbacks.

He says he was surprised to see the initial work being carried out along Town Street, outside the Factory Workers Club, and in the Poplars and Lilacs area because the existing road marking were already clear. He says he was also not aware of any problems with parking in the area. But the situation turned to farce a week later when the new lines were covered up again.

"In this day and age when Leeds City Council are closing down services left, right and centre, and when money is in short supply it beggars belief," he said.

"That area was beautifully marked out - so the council decided in its wisdom to spend money relining it and then a week later they came and resurfaced it."

"We are all aware, from listening to the news, that councils throughout the country are being put under pressure financially and they are shutting down services. Then someone, somewhere is making decisions of this nature, that cost tens of thousands of pounds, for no good reason."

"It is sheer madness - it's the stuff of Monty Python.

"People are making decisions based on nothing less than stupidity," he said. "If I was doing that in the private sector I would lose my job."

Mr Lester also criticised the council six years ago over new road markings in Guiseley which he said were bringing traffic to a standstill and increasing the risk of accidents.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said this week: "We would like to apologise for this error, which was a genuine mistake in coordination planning between different sections of our Highways team."

The council says the cost of putting down the yellow lines was approximately £60.