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Leading national road surfacing contractor THB (Thames Hydroblasting) has unveiled the UK's first Safe Steps for School road crossing in Croydon, south London.
The Safe Steps for School programme aims to encourage children and parents to use road crossings provided during school pick-up and drop-off times.
The crossing includes Thermoplastic "footprints" that guide Children to and from the school, as well as to the road crossing. The crossing itself comprises a striking, brightly coloured design; laid using market-leading durable, safe Preformed road markings. THB said the aim is to incentivise children to use the appropriate road crossing, whilst simultaneously increasing driver awareness.
Recent Road Safety statistics from the Department for Transport showed the number of child deaths at all crossings increased from one to seven in the years 2015 to 2016. Croydon Council were thrilled to be the first local authority in the UK to trial the nationwide initiative.
Cllr Stuart King, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: "The Safe Steps for School footprints design will be a fantastic tool to promote and educate children on crossing the road safely. I'm delighted Croydon is the first place to trial this new programme and hope the eye-catching design encourages both parents and children to cross at a safe place, reducing the risk of road accidents."
Speaking at the unveiling on 01 February, Headteacher Ms Fairhurst said: "The children are absolutely wowed by it, they're loving it and they're staying within the crossing boundaries because they want to walk on it and follow the paw prints."
The Safe Steps for School programme is to be rolled out nationally in 2018 and improve Road Safety for Primary School Children across the UK. The crossing "Eye Eye Ivy" design was donated by famed global design house Eley-Kishimoto / Dolman-Bowles.
