Islington Council put residents in potential danger when it blocked a vital fire engine access route with a badly-placed signpost.

The blunder saw a post erected in front of an emergency access route in Annette Road, Holloway, which is specifically designed to be wide enough for a fire engine to get through – as long as there are no obstacles in the way.

The passage is between four brick flower beds and is just wide enough for vehicles, but normally only cyclists are allowed through.

Yellow writing in the road says “fire access keep clear”, while a sign on of the flowerbeds reads “no thoroughfare, emergency access only”.

Cllr Paul Convery, Islington Council’s executive member for planning, regeneration and transport, said: “Residents are always in mind when it comes to road safety and this sign was put up following concerns from the local community about speeding cyclists using this cut through.

“It was the right sign but in the wrong place. It has now been removed and will be re-sited as soon as possible.”

The council blew �200 on putting up the post, and two weeks later spent a further �40 taking it down after it was alerted to the hazard. The sign will be moved to a nearby lamppost, while the post has been put in storage.