Case study

Prescot Road, St Helens

Improving safety using unique tactile application

Location

ISSUE

Safety improvements on a major road to include a specific paving section

KEY BENEFITS

Quick to install with unique colour qpplication

Background

Little Violet-Grace was being carried across the road by her nan, in March 2017, when the pair were hit by a car speeding at 83mph in the 30mph zone on Prescot Road. Violet-
Grace died from her injuries the following day, and her nan suffered life changing injuries.

Safety improvements were implemented after campaigning by Violet-Grace’s parents, with new traffic islands and improved road markings. They also wanted to include a paving section in the colour violet as a tribute to young Violet-Grace.

Solution

The TAC-GRID tactile system was the perfect solution
as it can be installed in any of the RAL colourways. The purple was a bespoke coloured resin using a special mix. We also asked St Helens Council to ask the family if they wanted us to install a technology beacon with a message for Violet-Grace. The family agreed to this. One of the most visible changes on this scheme is the coloured paving at the new crossing.

We were able to carry out the installation without closing off the footpath or one way road by using our own traffic management consisting of cones, barriers and signage as we only need a small space to work in. No large equipment is required, just a battery powered hand mixer, rollers and brushes.

We also installed our unique beacon technology within the crossing, pedestrians can download our free live beacon app onto their phones and will hear the message ‘In memory of Violet-Grace’.

Outcome

This crossing is unique and could not have been carried out using traditional tactile paving methods. The full installation was carried out in half a day with minimum disruption and the utmost sensitivity.

We have been advised that, due to the vibrancy of the colour, the crossing is highly visible to traffic, supporting the need to improve road safety.

Connor Specialist Paving installed this project as a trial for St Helens Council with no charge for the installation cost.

“I am extremely proud to have used TAC-GRID for this community project, the whole reason I invented it was to make a difference to pedestrian safety at crossings and I hope this will do just that in this case.”

Andrew Connor MD Connor Specialist Paving Ltd

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