Council workers forced to lay tarmac around car

Council workers resurfacing a road in Torquay were forced to lay tarmac around a car after they were unable to trace the owner.

Despite contractors putting up notices and writing to residents weeks in advance warning them that works were about to begin, one motorist forgot to move their vehicle.

The work was carried out in the Watcombe area of Torquay in Devon and when workmen were unable to trace the owner of the vehicle they simply worked around it.

They resurfaced the 600ft street but left the car in a neat square of unsurfaced road.

Local John Nicholas said: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it. There were signs up for weeks saying the road was going to be resurfaced so there was plenty of warning."

A Torbay Council spokesman said: "Signs were placed out on site two weeks in advance of the surfacing works, and a letter drop was made to all residents.

"Unfortunately the contractor was unable to identify the owner of the car and get it removed on the day of the works.

"Improvements of this type require significant plant and materials which are ordered in advance, so the decision was made to continue with the surfacing.

"The contractor will return to complete the works when the car is moved, at no extra cost to the council."