RESIDENTS have been left puzzled over the placements of road markings in Cheltenham after resurfacing works.
Cold Pool Lane and Hatherley Road in Up Hatherley were recently resurfaced by Gloucestershire Highways engineers.
But road markings made in the village following the work have left members of the public mystified.
One white line opposite the Saints Philip and James Parish Church, between two houses.
White lines are used on roads to prevent cars from parking, and are traditionally used to maintain access to a property.
But there is a difference in opinion between the parish council and the church as to the real reason for the ones in the village being painted.
Stuart Fowler, chairman of Up Hatherley parish council, said, despite the raised eyebrows, the lines did have a purpose.
He added: "When there is a funeral with a large hearse, any car parked there might obstruct the entrance.
"The driveway to the church is just wide enough for one car to park but if it is a large hearse, then they might have problem reversing out.
"It is a road with no restricted parking, so anyone can park. Obviously it was put in by someone at highways with a lot of intelligence."
But Father Richard Dunstan-Meadows, parish priest at the church, said the line was so congregation members who use wheelchairs or mothers pushing prams could cross without obstruction.
He added: "It is not for hearses – we have no problems with hearses coming in here.
"It will enable people to cross and come to the church."
A spokesman for Gloucestershire County Council said: "The line has been in place for a long time, and recently refreshed, to encourage drivers not to park in front of a dropped curb opposite the entrance to the parish church.
"There are many similar examples of this in the county and we believe it's entirely appropriate that vulnerable members of the community, including the disabled and people with pushchairs, are able to safely cross the road in streets where there are no or few parking restrictions."
To have a white line drawn, residents have to apply to the highways manager. These are looked at on a case-by-case basis.
