THE repainting of road markings on the A38 at a Newport weeks before the road is resurfaced was a “genuine mistake”, the county council has admitted.

Residents were left scratching their heads after the lines were repainted earlier this month – just weeks before the road surface through the village was dug up.

Criticism was levelled at Gloucestershire County Council for the perceived waste of money but it has said that the “mistake” will not cost the council nor the taxpayer any extra money.

Work to resurface the A38 is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 30 and be finished on Friday, September 9, but road markings were repainted by over-eager workmen a fortnight ago.

Scott Tompkins, lead commissioner highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It’s good to have a keen workforce, unfortunately this time they were a little too keen!

“This is a genuine mistake which we have already agreed with Amey will not cost the council or the taxpayer any additional money.

“The resurfacing of the road will still go ahead and lines will be correctly repainted after the work has been completed.”