Giant hot dogs ahead? Baguettes on patrol? Do you know what these new road markings in Wick and Thurso mean?

Red and white road lozenge-shaped markings have appeared on streets in Wick and Thurso and left many locals perplexed as to their meaning.

A post on Facebook, with a photograph sent by Thurso community activist Alexander Glasgow, had comments such as "They've run out of potholes"; "French bread overflow parking"; "It's for people who identify as hotdogs"; and "No travelling baguettes allowed".

Highland Council was contacted in order to put the matter right and said that "the work is part of the schemes for making the 20mph limit permanent and introducing traffic calming".

"The 20mph scheme is part of ScotGov's Walk, Cycle, Safer Routes scheme," said Mr Glasgow. "It also is linked to the need for a set of traffic lights on the A9 at Burnside to allow children from the estate to cross safely to Pennyland or Thurso High.

"It was put out to consultation with no competent objections. Highland Council can publicize information only so much so it's the responsibility of stakeholders such as ward councillors and the community council to cascade, and all were made aware. If there's initial doubt, it is important to release information in a controlled and disciplined manner and not allow undue speculation and factual inaccuracies."

The markings are on Castlegreen Road in Thurso and Henrietta Street in Wick and Mr Glasgow said that some "campaign groups appear unaware" of their meaning but that they have been shown to be effective at a street in Dingwall. He hopes the scheme will be extended to other areas of the towns.

"This was proposed, along with those at Pennyland House, to allow children from the estate to walk, cycle, or wheel to school. Without it, Pennyland House is somewhat redundant. A safer route also could be installed from Scrabster which is below the three miles required for a school bus service. It would be from external funding via Transport Scotland. I have been pressed for some time at stakeholder groups, and Councillor Raymond Bremner has agreed to listen."

Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Matthew Reiss said: “I have looked at the new markings. Time will tell if they are helpful or not.

"If they improve safety I am sure the public will be supportive. However, the imposition of extra yellow lining has caused understandable concerns, which I am trying to obtain answers to. I have received complaints about a lack of consultation. The money used for this scheme was ringfenced so the council could not use it to repair roads, pavements or replace white lines. Personally, I believe local communities usually know best how to spend any extra cash."

In the Facebook post referred to earlier, one social media user called John Lubran gave a more succinct description of the road marking that may help the public better understand its function. "It's similar to mini roundabouts and double white lines where one is not allowed to overtake," he wrote.

"The 'hatched' markings in the photo are about keeping cars apart from each other. Similar to painted roundabouts and double white lines, it's not an offence to drive upon or even cross such painted lines. It's about the physical relationship one has to observe with other road users. If it were not so, heavy lorries wouldn't be able to operate."

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.