Prittlewell Chase ‘SafeZebra’ - Leigh-on-Sea

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Leigh On Sea News: Prittlewell Chase ‘SafeZebra’ – NEW patented safety equipment called the ‘SafeZebra’ has been installed at the pedestrian crossing on Prittlewell Chase, outside Southend hospital.

Prittlewell Chase ‘SafeZebra’ - NEW patented safety equipment called the ‘SafeZebra’ has been installed at the pedestrian crossing on Prittlewell Chase, outside Southend hospital.

NEW patented safety equipment called the ‘SafeZebra’ has been installed at the pedestrian crossing on Prittlewell Chase, outside Southend hospital.

The scene of a tragic fatality last year, there has been much lobbying by residents and Coun’s Buck, Garston and Davidson, the 3 Prittlewell Ward councillors, to get safety improvements put in place at this very busy crossing.

Southend inventor, ex policeman and retired taxi driver, Cliff Short, had the idea some 8 years ago when driving his cab.

Mr Short said: “When you drive a cab all day, not only do you see things that many might not pay attention to, but you have time to think.

“Knowing how many accidents actually occur on or near pedestrian crossings, the idea of the SafeZebra just came to me one day.

“Having got all the intellectual property rights in place, we then wanted to engage a UK manufacturer to make the product.

“The SafeZebra is a retro fit product that enhances existing crossing posts and is very easy to install. It works automatically through a sensor and lights up an additional flashing LED strip on the post to warn motorists someone is crossing, but also has added LED flood lighting to light the crossing up to give greater visibility to the pedestrians.

“The great thing about it, is it’s fully automated, so doesn’t require any interaction from the pedestrian. It’s a Southend invention, being manufactured in the UK and I’m extremely proud and grateful to Southend Council for being the first highways authority in the country to trial the SafeZebra in my home City.”

Coun Meg Davidson met Mr Short Cliff at the installation site. She said: “We, as the ward Councillors’s, have for some time now been lobbying to get safety improvements at this and other crossings in the ward.

“With the tragic fatality last year at what is an extremely busy crossing, we are very pleased to see Cliff’s new safety invention being installed.”

The SafeZebra will be installed at 4 further pedestrian crossings in Southend over the next two months as part of a 6 month trial of the new safety equipment.

Picture: The Prittlewell Chase SafeZebra crossing

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