Roadwork signs put up in wrong country

A blundering road gang put up signs announcing planned roadworks in Northumberland, England - 200 miles away in Scotland.

Scottish motorists in Aberdeenshire were left baffled when the warnings went-up about major roadworks on routes that didn't need repairing.

But the workers had got lost on their way to Berwick-upon-Tweed in England and managed to erect the signs 200 miles away in north-east Scotland.

The Daily Mail said the workers from Onsite Construction Services had driven for 12 hours  before erecting signs in the wrong site.

The blunder came to light only after Aberdeenshire motorists contacted local authorities about the threatened roadworks.

Philip Glomm, of the RAC Foundation, said: "It seems ironic that two people charged with looking after the road network could get so terribly lost.

"They're obviously very enthusiastic members of staff. But I would think the Highways Agency has enough to worry about in England without trying to extend its remit into Scotland."

Alex Johnstone, the local member of the Scottish Parliament, said: "I want to know how somebody who has no idea where they're going can be put in charge of erecting road signs."

The men had been contracted to the Highways Agency from property support company OCS. athan Shields, Services Manager, Onsite Construction Services said: "We would like to apologise for the confusion which has taken place on the A90 north of Aberdeen. The information stated on the notice boards is incorrect, and is an internal error which is now going to be rectified by OCS."

A Highways Agency statement said: "Highways Agency-branded signs were placed off our network in error by a subcontractor. These signs are being removed as soon as possible by the subcontractor at no cost to the Agency or taxpayer."