Pavement art goes whole hog for crossing safety

ARTWORK has been painted on pavements in Christchurch as part of a campaign to encourage people to cross the road in the correct place.

Local artist Claire Nuttall designed the images, which include footprints and a cartoon hedgehog, for the Dorset Road Safety Partnership, and is designed to target young people.

The partnership is also working with Age UK to raise awareness of road safety among older members of the community and has produced high-visibility shopping bags which are being given away at charity shops in the area.

The sites in Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole were chosen following serious road accidents involving pedestrians who had not used official crossings.

These include Barrack Road and Sopers Lane in Christchurch, as well as Holdenhurst Road in Bournemouth and Poole Road in Branksome.

Assistant Chief Constable Sam de Reya, who chairs the partnership, said: “This fantastic initiative is the latest activity in our approach to educating all road users to stay safe across the county, supporting our ongoing work to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads.

“As well as our education work with pedestrians, we’re also asking motorists to expect the unexpected and always give themselves time to react to those around them, on the road, cycle lane or pavement.”

She added: “Over the last 10 years we’ve worked in partnership to reduce the number of casualties by 20% and while every collision can be devastating, I am pleased that we are making constant progress in making our roads safer.”

Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner Martyn Underhill added: “This is an imaginative and eye-catching way of helping keep young pedestrians safe.”