Overzealous councils have gone "red route mad" by painting red lines on even minor roads, according to a Midland MP.

Lorely Burt (Lib Dem Solihull) accused her local authority of going too far when it painted red lines on a road which is not named.

The markings indicate drivers are not allowed to stop, and are usually used in routes used by buses.

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They have been introduced because the traditional yellow lines, which prohibit parking, do not prevent drivers from stopping briefly, for example to let a passenger out.

But Ms Burt said she was surprised to see they had been used on a road close to Shirley Library, where she holds some of her weekly surgeries.

The road, close to the A34 Stratford Road, is between School Road and Church Road. She said: "I could hardly believe it. I came out of my surgery last week and there it was - red lines down a road that is so important it doesn't even have a name.

"The road is set back from the Stratford Road, and hardly qualifies as a major thoroughfare. Have we gone red route mad?"

A spokesman for the seven metropolitan authorities in the West Midlands said: "Congestion costs £1,000 every year for every person who lives in the West Midlands.

"Red routes are designed to reduce delays and put a stop to people who park inconsiderately. Red routes also gives businesses and customers somewhere convenient where they can park legally."