Grandfather launches bizarre protest against neighbours eight-foot fence
- 5 years ago
Pensioner Gary Flowers has put up a row of brightly-coloured signs with toy monkeys and model Laurel and Hardy characters with speech bubbles peering out of his bedroom window.
The unusual protest is to demonstrate his disdain over his council's lack of action over the 2.5 metre fence which he claims is a "road safety hazard".
Retired plumber Mr Flowers, 68, says the row of monkeys symbolises the children at risk from the lack of visibilty as a result of the fence, as they sit alongside flashing lights and multiple signs all of which are passed by thousands of motorists on the busy road.
Mr Flowers says any fence next to a highway which is more than one metre high must have planning permission.
He said: "The fence went up two years ago. It's too big and unsightly, but the main thing is it's stopping visibility for anyone pulling out of the drive onto the road.
"If you're sitting on the drive there's no perception of pedestrians or
oncoming cars.
"This road is on a school route and near a leisure park so there are lots of kids walking about.
"One schoolgirl came up to me the other day saying, 'you're right, I think it's dangerous'."
Mr Flowers has had the signs up since Christmas protesting at the fence in Dewsbury, West Yorks.
He added: "I put the dolls up to symbolise the danger to the children. I also put up model Laurel and Hardy characters in my window. The speech buibbles said, ' this is a crime'.
"It was meant to put a bit of humour into it, although the situation itself isn't funny."
He added: "I don't have a problem with my neighbour. If his burglar alarm went off I'd happily go round to check everything.
"But I've got to think about the safety of the kids. I just want the
council to get off the fence."
Dad-of-two Gary said he initially sent a letter to his neighbour explaining the issue and that he would be taking action.
But the fence has remained up, despite his vehement protests.
Signs on a board outside say "Fence failures all standards", "Officials refuse to do their job crime in itself" and "Degrading urban amenity".
"He came round straight after I sent the letter and was pretty angry. He's determined to keep it up."
Gary has been protesting ever since the fence went up, and has even handed out letters explaining the issue to residents in the area.
The neighbour, who was approached but declined to comment on the ongoing protest, has since applied for retrospective planning permission which has been refused.
This is now being reviewed.
The unusual protest is to demonstrate his disdain over his council's lack of action over the 2.5 metre fence which he claims is a "road safety hazard".
Retired plumber Mr Flowers, 68, says the row of monkeys symbolises the children at risk from the lack of visibilty as a result of the fence, as they sit alongside flashing lights and multiple signs all of which are passed by thousands of motorists on the busy road.
Mr Flowers says any fence next to a highway which is more than one metre high must have planning permission.
He said: "The fence went up two years ago. It's too big and unsightly, but the main thing is it's stopping visibility for anyone pulling out of the drive onto the road.
"If you're sitting on the drive there's no perception of pedestrians or
oncoming cars.
"This road is on a school route and near a leisure park so there are lots of kids walking about.
"One schoolgirl came up to me the other day saying, 'you're right, I think it's dangerous'."
Mr Flowers has had the signs up since Christmas protesting at the fence in Dewsbury, West Yorks.
He added: "I put the dolls up to symbolise the danger to the children. I also put up model Laurel and Hardy characters in my window. The speech buibbles said, ' this is a crime'.
"It was meant to put a bit of humour into it, although the situation itself isn't funny."
He added: "I don't have a problem with my neighbour. If his burglar alarm went off I'd happily go round to check everything.
"But I've got to think about the safety of the kids. I just want the
council to get off the fence."
Dad-of-two Gary said he initially sent a letter to his neighbour explaining the issue and that he would be taking action.
But the fence has remained up, despite his vehement protests.
Signs on a board outside say "Fence failures all standards", "Officials refuse to do their job crime in itself" and "Degrading urban amenity".
"He came round straight after I sent the letter and was pretty angry. He's determined to keep it up."
Gary has been protesting ever since the fence went up, and has even handed out letters explaining the issue to residents in the area.
The neighbour, who was approached but declined to comment on the ongoing protest, has since applied for retrospective planning permission which has been refused.
This is now being reviewed.