Selfish motorists who ignore yellow hatch markings are vexing Government engineers and driving Hamilton Parish residents crazy.

Motorists have nearly come to blows after a junction change which led to Highland Estate residents now exiting onto Wilkinson Avenue rather than North Shore Road.

Locals found they cannot easily turn into their estate because drivers on Wilkinson Avenue are illegally waiting on yellow road hatchings and blocking the entrance into Highland Estate Road.

And some residents are now so frustrated they are driving the wrong way down Wilkinson Avenue to get round the bottleneck -- an action which could land them with a driving ban if they are convicted of dangerous driving.

Motorists ignoring the yellow hatchings could also be hit with $50 fines.

Principal Highways Engineer Ian MacLoud pleaded for drivers to stick to the law.

He said: "The major problem is that motorists are not adhering to road markings -- but the Police could ticket you for this.

"This lack of courtesy causes other motorists difficulties.

"People are not doing what they are meant to. There have been quite a few altercations because people are not sure about what's going on.

"We have had quite a lot of phone calls from people living in the private estate.'' Mr. MacLoud said the junction had been changed last year to improve pedestrian safety.

The North Shore Road bend was straightened out so people crossing from the bus stop to the Swizzle Inn were in full view of drivers.

And pavements were put in along Wilkinson Avenue so tourists heading for the Crystal Caves could walk in safety.

"We tried to improve the junction so everybody could see better what was going on,'' said Mr. MacLoud.

"But I accept things are not as easy as they used to be - but we can't help everybody. We do things for the majority of the people.'' But he said people were failing to understand that they shouldn't queue on the yellow hatchings.

"It doesn't seem to get through.'' He said motorists gained nothing by blocking off the estate road because they would still have to wait for traffic in front to move before they could.

Local MP Derrick Burgess said: "When people are coming back from town to Kitty's Drive or Highland Road it's total confusion.

"It will be confusing until it gets fixed. People can't get in.'' The Works and Engineering department have made changes to the road markings to improve the situation but traffic lights are unlikely to be used as the Ministry uses them as an option of last resort.

A pedestrian crossing planned by Swizzle Inn is likely to be installed by the end of the month and will make it safer for people to cross between the various tourist attractions.