If you want something done, you’ve got to do yourself.
At least that’s what builder Tim Backhouse thought, after becoming sick and tired of watching cars and lorries rocket past his house in the not-so-sleepy village of Bow, Devon.
Having already approached his local council several times asking for traffic calming measures on the busy A3072, Backhouse took matters into his own hands.
Using specialist ladders and standard red and white emulsion paint, he spent five hours painting the side of his with a huge 30 mph sign, reaching 100ft, as tall as a double decker bus.
The 47-year-old father of three told the Mail:
“This way, I thought there's no way they can miss the sign and might just get the message.
“My wife and I have only lived in the village for two years and I've got to admit we were apprehensive about how people would react.
“But everyone's been very supportive, the general feeling is that Bow has been forgotten about and something needs to be done.
“The road is littered with potholes and although the only shop is just outside the village there is no zebra crossing and after school there are lots of kids racing over there.
Backhouse lives in the village house with his science technican wife Rachel and three children, Rowan, four, Oliver, seven and Faye, thirteen.
He explained he was especially worried of the road becoming even more dangerous as the nights draw in.
Devon County Council said that speed checks showed the average speed on the road was below 30mph.
A spokesperson for the council said "We're aware of concerns about the speed of traffic through the village, and local police have worked with the community on enforcement issues."
Backhouse rubbished their claims, saying the average wasn’t a fair reflection because traffic jams on the road falsify the speed at which lorries and cars race past.
He has painted his wall to coincide with National Speed Awareness Week, and will paint over it by 5 December.