World Cup fever hits even more streets of Leicestershire

By alison curtis

World Cup fever has hit the streets of Leicestershire – literally.

The Mercury reported last week that the cross of St George had been painted across six mini-roundabouts in Syston.

Since then, we have been inundated with reports of the patriotic pranksters having targeted roundabouts across the county.

Oadby, Mountsorrel, Quorn and Thurmaston are among the other locations where the roundabouts have been given a World Cup makeover, although the total number is unclear.

Rick Whitehead, who owns New Street Motors, in Oadby, said one had been painted in nearby Stoughton Road.

"It's quite patriotic. I've got no problem with it," he said.

"It's been there about a month and a half. I've seen it on my travels but I've not noticed any others. They must have done it at night because it's quite busy around there."

Michelle Page, 37, from Thurmaston, said: "I see the one on Melton Road every day. It's more inventive than having a flag on your car, or on the front of your house. I think it's a bit of harmless fun."

Lydia, from Mountsorrel, commented on the last Mercury story about the roundabouts, to say: "I think its great. Mountsorrel has been done too. The bus journey through Quorn made me smile every time we went over one."

Councillors and police have warned that the roundabouts will cost hundreds of pounds to put right.

One company is happy to do the repainting job for them, after borough councillor Ken Pacey told the Mercury it would cost a lot of money to put right.

Mick Vesty, from building company Smallman and Son, based in Syston, said staff would be happy to put the roundabouts back to how they should be for free – after the World Cup.

He said: "I had a bit of a chuckle when I saw them. It's just a bit of fun. The police and the council say it will cost money but a few of our guys can go around Syston and sort it out very quickly.

"I think it was a brilliant idea by whoever did it. There doesn't need to be a massive hoo-ha about it. We're prepared to sort it out."

Councillor Pacey said: "The problem is the general public think it is a bit of fun – but do not realise what will need to be done now.

"It is not just a case of getting a pot of £5 paint and some paint brushes to repaint it. It is actually some sort heated substance that is used, I think."

A County Council spokesman said: "While we wouldn't encourage anyone to paint a mini-roundabout, we appreciate that fans want to support England.

"In this case, they have got their paint brushes out to make the point.

"Our first job is to ensure the road markings are clear but as long as those flags which have so far appeared do not form a road hazard, we will leave them to be removed as part of our routine road maintenance work later this summer.

"The county council had (before the World Cup started) already commissioned routine maintenance works to renew road markings through Syston including mini roundabouts later this summer."