This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.
And Finally Artist News
Abbey Road crossing may be allocated lollypop lady
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 13 August 2014
Westminster Council is considering employing staff to ensure the safety of the swathes of tourists who come to mimic The Beatles’ ‘Abbey Road’ album cover by having their photos taken walking across it. The road not the album cover.
This isn’t the first time concerns have been raised, with suggestions back in 2009 that the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing that appears on the album artwork could be removed in order to cut down accidents. However, that move was rejected, and the crossing was later granted Grade II listed status, ensuring its permanent place outside the Abbey Road recording studios.
A Westminster Council spokesperson told the BBC that councillors were now considering employing a lollypop lady (or man) to halt traffic while people cross. Though that would presumably mean that the florescent jacketed, reflective sign holding official would also have to be in the Beatles fans’ photos, which might put people off actually wanting to cross at all. Though that would also be job done in safety terms I suppose.
Anyway, the spokesperson added: “Local Abbey Road ward councillors raised their residents’ concerns about the number of tourists spilling into the road and traffic near the crossing at the height of the summer season, and put forward various suggestions, asking the city council to review pedestrian safety and crowd management. However, no proposals have been agreed by the council, nor the review completed”.
Until there is someone on hand to stop cars from mowing down tourists on the crossing, you can watch them risk life and limb via this webcam.
