Residents in a Dorset village were left ‘baffled’ after yellow lines suddenly appeared outside a popular local bakery.

Fresh yellow lines had been painted on a section of Market Street, in Abbotsbury, including across the stretch of road where Bellenie’s Bakehouse is situated.

Locals said they had had “no notice” about the yellow lines and feared it could “kill village trade”: their fears were to be short-lived, however, with the lines mysteriously disappearing just a handful of days later.

Could it have been the act of a nighttime yellow-line vigilante? Well, there had been such whispers but, alas, it transpired that Dorset Council had made an error with the initial paint-job and simply returned to rectify their mistake.

Dorset Echo:

  • The lines were removed again 24 hours later, much to the confusion of a local business owner  

Ray Woodbury, who lives in the village, had initially expressed concerns surrounding the yellow line and said it was “pleasing news” that they’d been removed.

He said: “Well, to be honest, I was quite irritated when I first saw the lines appear because not everyone is able to walk. We have residents of a certain age that struggle and it felt as though there was no consideration to them and how they’d be able to still get out and socialise.

“I was concerned about the impact it could have on the village and, even in the few days that the lines were painted, we had people parking on them anyway and other cars zooming past.

“Accidents do happen, though, and I’m glad it’s been sorted.

When asked about the lines, Abbotsbury Parish councillor Mark Hardway said: “In simple terms, Highways and Dorset Council made an error when completing the resurfacing of the road in Market Street, they entered the yellow lines in error, which I informed Dorset Council and Highways, they resolved the problem.”.

Dorset Council has been approached for comment.