Sea-themed road markings in Poole come under fire

BCP Council has painted have painted green and blue dolphins and sea shells along a stretch of the A350 in Poole as part of the wider Townside and Hunger Hill improvement scheme.

But motoring groups fear the brightly-coloured markings could lead to more road traffic accidents as drivers will be focussed on them and not other cars.

Simon Williams, a road safety spokesman for the RAC, said: "This seems like a shocking waste of money, especially as most visitors will have put their destination into a sat-nav before setting out.

"We assume there can't be any potholes in Poole that need fixing if the council has enough money to spend on producing these overly-elaborate road markings.

"There's also a real danger that drivers will end up looking at dolphins and sea shells instead of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians around them."

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA said: "Painting seaside images on the roads could become either a danger or an unintended road safety aid on Poole's roads.

"If road users spend too much time admiring the artwork then it could prove a distraction, especially for tourists trying to navigate around the town.

"As much as there is a need to keep your eyes on the road ahead, drivers must also use their mirrors and look out for any potential dangers up ahead."

Some residents were equally critical.

Tony Boden said: "This is a stupid idea. Road signs should be kept to a minimum to avoid unnecessary distractions and accidents for drivers and pedestrians."

Eunice Marsden added: "These will just distract drivers wondering what they mean for traffic.

"They will also certainly be attractive to children who will think the area a playground not a road.

"They are dangerous as well as a mistake."

BCP Council would not say exactly how much money has been spent on the new road markings.

Councillor Mike Greene, portfolio holder for transport, said: “I think there may be some confusion about where these markings are and why the graphics have been introduced.

“They are in the very centre of Poole: a one-way traffic, low speed area with a segregated pedestrian path and cycleway and safe clearly-visible crossings. The colours were carefully chosen to not distract from standard road markings and the graphics were fully approved by the Council’s Road Safety scheme before being commissioned.

Cllr Mike Greene

“The graphics form part of the multi-million-pound Townside and Hunger Hill scheme, which over the last three years has delivered a series of major infrastructure improvement in this part of Poole.

"Funding for this scheme was provided by the Government specifically for the project and the Council are not allowed to spend it instead on road maintenance or other such work.”