Floods, heatwaves and drought could cause a virtual collapse of the capital unless action is taken to address climate change, Boris Johnson has warned
More...
The street made safe for texting and walking
Carolyn Armstrong04.03.08
Brick Lane has been branded an accident blackspot - for clumsy mobile phone users who crash into lamp posts while texting.
A survey found the Hoxton street is Britain's worst thoroughfare for "walk-and-text" injury victims.
Across London, it is claimed there were more than 68,000 such accidents last year, with victims' injuries ranging from minor bruises to fractured skulls.
The blame was placed on the large amount of street furniture such as lamp posts and bins and a growing number of pedestrians attracted by the area's curry houses and bars.
Now Brick Lane has been made the country's first "Safe Text" street, with brightly coloured padding, similar to that used on rugby posts, placed on lamp posts to test if it helps protect dozy mobile users.
If the trial is successful, the idea could be rolled out to other London blackspots, including Charing Cross Road, Old Bond Street, Oxford Street and Church Street, Stoke Newington.
The survey, by text information company 118.com, revealed 44 per cent of mobile users backed the idea of the padding to save themselves from injury and mild embarrassment. Other suggestions included "mobile motorways", like cycle lanes, giving people a brightly coloured line to follow to stay out of danger.
William Ostrom of 118.com said: "The study found Brick Lane was the worst for a combination of reasons. It has a very high concentration of lamp posts, signs and bins in a small area. Added to the pedestrian footfall and the number of drinking establishments, it's a hot spot for accidents."
The research showed more than six million mobile owners had been injured in collisions while walking and using the phone. The number of accidents was said to be linked to our obsession with texting - Britain's 48 million mobile users together send 4.7 million texts an hour.
Campaign groups blamed growing levels of street "clutter", such as lamp posts, bins and recycling points. Tony Armstrong, chief executive of Living Streets, said: "Britain's streets are becoming increasingly like obstacle courses. We were surprised by the scale of accidents but know from our members that cluttered streets continue to cause daily danger."
Link to:
Reader views (13)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
Can I get some padding as they walk into me too. I suggest we send an electrical charge through the lampposts or wrap them in barbed wire.
- Dave, saffron walden
This is a ludicrous idea that smacks of the Health & Safety police. Plus, won't these protective covers get a little smelly after a while from the local dog population doing what only dogs do?
- Paula Garsden, Enfield, Middx
I favour the "mobile motorway" idea if we can end the brightly coloured line at the nearest cliff edge.
- Michael, Park Royal, London
