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Householders on Princedom Street, which runs between Lightbowne and Harpurhey, had requested traffic calming to stop rat running outside their homes.

They were delighted when they were told action would be taken but instead of road humps, Manchester City Council engineers painted give-way marking on side streets.

Now residents say motorists using the route as a shortcut have a clear run and now drive even faster knowing they have priority.

The street leads from Ashley Lane, where it takes traffic from the Moston campus of Mancat, down to Hillier Street and on to Church Lane.

It is also used as a rat run by drivers trying to avoid the busy junction at Conran Street and Moston Lane.

Lightbowne councillor Bill Risby is now fighting for the hoped-for road humps and a 20mph speed limit but noted a silver lining in the troubles that have led to residents' association being formed.

He said: "The residents came to my bureau to advise me in the strongest terms possible that the road markings have aggravated the situation as traffic now travels at greater speeds in the knowledge that they have unhindered right of way.

"The problem has never been traffic coming out of the side streets but the speed of traffic travelling along Princedom Street caused by rat running.

"The good thing about it is that it's encouraged tenants to create a new association and local councillors are co-operating with them to get this off the ground.

"People are now conscious of their own strength and I'll continue to press for what they want."

Andrew Fender, Manchester city council's lead member on traffic issues, explained that officers are monitoring the situation following the introduction of the lining scheme so they can assess the street for traffic calming.

He said: "We have several hundred requests for road humps, 20mph zones etc across the city and very limited resources. It is just not possible to predict how soon Princedom Street might qualify for such treatment until its priority, relative to all the other requests, has been assessed."