On the surface, it seems an odd way of fixing road...

In spite of notices all along Selborne Road asking motorists to move their vehicles while the work was being carried out, this red van was left parked at the roadside.

But not to be deterred from the task in hand, the contractors simply relaid the surface all round the van, leaving a narrow margin and the patch underneath it completely untouched.

Staff at the company Nu-Key, just across the road, watched in disbelief as the van was left with its own island of the old Tarmac in the middle of last week.

“We were all very amused over the two days, watching the workmen from our office, work around this vehicle whilst trying to repair the road.

“There were clear notices along Selborne Road asking all vehicles to be moved whilst the work was going on.

“After they had finished the rest of the street, the workman went away, leaving the area where the van was parked un-repaired.

“But the van was moved on Wednesday and the workmen came back just to fill in that patch where the van had been.

“We were all just surprised the van did not get moved or get a parking ticket.”

The work was being carried out for West Sussex County Council by its contractor Balfour Beatty Living Spaces, which has been resurfacing roads across the Gazette area.

In addition, the council is spending £4m on its annual surface dressing programme, using chippings on top of tar.