A traffic-calming scheme installed on Grange Road West in Birkenhead, Merseyside, is set to be removed following local criticism and feedback from a recent trial. The project, which cost approximately £300,000, featured large orange and yellow road and pavement markings that some residents likened to the snack brand Wotsits. The surfacing, along with planters and benches, was introduced in December as part of a trial one-way system intended to improve traffic flow and pedestrian safety.

However, the scheme faced backlash from residents who described the designs as "hideous" and compared the area’s appearance to a children's playground. Local resident Brian Kearsley criticized the project, suggesting that council tax payers should be reimbursed for the expenditure and referring to the initiative as a "farce from start to finish." Another resident, Peter Dunn, expressed that the scheme had undermined the credibility of Wirral Borough Council, stating it had "made clowns" of the authority.

Wirral Borough Council has responded by acknowledging the feedback and emphasizing the value of the trial in informing future decisions. Council leader Paula Basnett noted that the trial provided important insights into what works in the area and identified aspects that need to be changed. She indicated that the council would use this evidence to guide subsequent improvements rather than continue with the current layout.

The removal of the traffic-calming features marks the end of the experimental phase for the one-way system on Grange Road West, as the council reassesses how best to address traffic management and community concerns in Birkenhead. No timeline has yet been announced for the full removal or any replacement measures.