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Man fined $233 after painting zebra crossing for disabled wife

An elderly man has been fined after he painted a zebra crossing near his home for his disabled wife to safely cross a busy street.

Laurie Phillips, 78, took matters into his own hands over the summer when his local council failed to act on his multiple requests to introduce a safer crossing on the street.

A man in the UK has painted a crossing on his road to help out his disabled wife. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope
A man in the UK has painted a crossing on his road to help out his disabled wife. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope

With a dropped kerb already in place, Mr Phillips, from Dorset on England’s south coast, painted the crossing early one morning with two friends.

Yet just days later council workers had reported him to the police and his creation was quickly removed.

A man in the UK has painted a crossing on his road to help out his disabled wife. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope
The man argued his move had made the road 'dramatically safer'. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope

A furious Mr Phillips said his installation had made the area “dramatically safer” and neighbours had praised him for his act in an area that is regularly busy with tourists.

But local authorities disagreed.

Husband slapped with fine and interview by police

Mr Phillips was slapped with a AU$233 fine after being interviewed by police.

He said he warned the council he would install the crossing for his 76-year-old wife Estelle, who uses a mobility scooter, if they failed to do so and says he was never told not to.

Laurie Phillips. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope
Laurie Phillips was reported to authorities by council workers. Source: Bournemouth News/Australscope

He believes the whole saga is a waste of police resources while he himself spent $180 on materials.

Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said they would “carefully assess” if a crossing was needed at the location.

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