BUILDINGS, MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
research campaign conducted by THB), was the poor example set to children by their adult chaperone when crossing the road. Common behaviours included parents leading their children in between parked cars, not using the crossing provided and in some cases waving at cars to slow them down. Behaviours that all come with a risk attached.
By incorporating visual and striking elements into the design, the crossing will also increase driver awareness. As part of The London Design Festival in 2017, THB worked in conjunction with Lambeth Council and global design house Eley- Kishimoto. The objective was to design and install colourful “Flash” pedestrian crossings in a bid to change pedestrians’ everyday experience of crossing a road. The areas chosen have a high volume of cars, cyclists and pedestrians, often making them precarious places to navigate. After installing the crossings, feedback from the general public and local authorities was extremely positive, not only transforming the area but in turn helping to increase both driver and pedestrian awareness when approaching the crossings. The same improvement applies to the Safe Steps for Schools™ crossings. On the day of the Safe Steps for Schools launch, Headteacher Ms Fairhurst said, ‘The
February 2018
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’.
For THB to be able to create a long-lasting, non-toxic, cost-effective crossing that is environmentally friendly, it became clear that using a preformed thermoplastic material would be the best product for Safe Steps for Schools™. The application process involves administering a specialised primer and then laying premade thermoplastic pieces in place (like a jigsaw) on top of the road surface. The preformed material is then bonded to the surface through heat application. As a result, it is a cost-effective alternative to other solutions and provides a more professional finish. The materials provide premium high UV-resistant colours with a lifespan ten times longer than traditional paints. This ensures colour is retained regardless of weather conditions and frequency of use. This also enables safety to remain as the highest priority, and is complemented by an anti-slip coating. The paints used in the materials are non-toxic and contain no lead or chromates to ensure the safety of children. Using preformed thermoplastic as the crossing material is also less time-consuming, and therefore causes less disruption to traffic.
THB’s Safe Steps for Schools™ programme launched in February 2018, with the first crossing installed in Croydon, to improve safety for the schoolchildren at Crescent Primary School. The programme will see THB engaged by a number of local authorities across the UK and throughout 2018.
Contact THB to learn more on our Safe Steps for Schools™ road crossing
info@thbuk.co.uk 0800 0146 420
www.education-today.co.uk 39
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