Residents mock fence which blocked path on Guisborough housing estate

The strange juxtaposition on the Newton Wood development was recently highlighted on Facebook with local residents quick to take aim at the “blunder”.

Avant Homes, which is behind the development, was blamed by some for the misplaced fence rails.

But the company denied any involvement, with a spokesman telling the Local Democracy Reporting Service it had “no knowledge of, nor involvement with, the erection of the fence”.

It added: “We can only assume it was done so by a third-party unknown to us.”

The mystery went deeper when some Facebook contributors suggested – in a chicken and egg type-scenario – that the fence in fact came before the path.

Paul Chevalier said: “Very skilled workers to get the path under that fence.”

Meanwhile, Redcar and Cleveland Council suggested the fence rails had been added by a member of the public and said they had since been removed.

Writing on Facebook, John Burtill said he had pointed out the apparent blunder as soon as it appeared.

He said: “Whoever erected it will have to remove it and I assume that the council will refuse to adopt the estate until the work is complete.”

Simon Baxter claimed the “stupid path” was in the wrong place, having had its original direction altered, and even with the fence rails it did not make any sense.

Marilyn Ostle also posted: “If these people had brains they would be dangerous, it just beggars belief.”

Lee Dodson claimed the fence had been put up to run alongside the path, but the direction of the path was then changed a week later.

He said: “It’s all to do with a drop down kerb to allow wheelchair users [access] as before it wasn’t a wide enough path for a drop down kerb.

“But don’t let the truth get in the way of a good Facebook moan.”

Kath Coulthard posted: “This is a joke, shocking.”

Dickie Mills added: “Only in Guisborough.”

Mr Burtill later said in a follow-up post the “crazy fence” had been taken away.

He said: “It was illegal because it blocked a short section of public right of way.”

Mark Paisley wrote in response: “Thank god that’s been done, I’ve been struggling to sleep.”

A council spokesman said: “Our highways and planning officers work closely together with both residents and developers to help, advise and ensure that new construction projects are safe and progress in a way which best serves the public. 

“In this instance it appears a member of the public added a fence rail which blocked a new path. 

“We are pleased to report that the construction company has informed us it has since removed the post and rail and access to the path is now safe and usable.”