A sign that appears to ban walking on a footpath has Hamiltonians seriously confused - and a supermarket and the council are blaming each other for it.
Situated on the footpath outside Countdown Claudelands are large red markings showing pedestrian silhouettes with crosses through them. It seems to suggest pedestrians can not use that stretch of footpath.
Baffled at the peculiar sign, one Kiwi took to social media to investigate its origins, posting an image of it to social media.
The move prompted discussions from many just as confused people offering their explanations as to what these signs could possibly mean from banning walking on the footpath to something more sinister.
"Is it me, or does this look like pedestrians can't walk on the footpath?! Where else are we supposed to go?" The user wrote.
Along with the confusion, many theories were ignited around what the mysterious red signs were warning. Some suggested the sign was banning pedestrians from entering the car park on foot while another user believed it was to indicate to drivers to watch out for pedestrians.
While either of the two seemed logical, wackier theories emerged that the sign was to ban humans, redheads, stick men or moonwalking.
The truth, however, was not as intriguing.
Hamilton City Council clarified it had previously installed red square pedestrian silhouettes in multiple locations to highlight the presence of pedestrians for improved safety.
In a statement to Newshub, the council said when remarking the signs, the supermarket’s contractor had applied the wrong symbol. It said council staff have contacted the supermarket to ask them to correct this as soon as possible.
But in a twist, Countdown responded to Newshub's queries that it was nothing to do with their property team and it is best we speak to Council.
Going back to Council, they insisted it was not them who contracted the work.
"Our understanding is it was the property manager's contractor who installed the signs," a spokesperson said.
So who is behind the mysterious red sign remains a mystery, for now.
