RESIDENTS are fearing for the safety of school children in response to art work installations that have now been placed on the road.

Members of Southampton City Council (SCC) were seen installing another set of brightly-coloured art onto Valentine Avenue on Friday, next to Valentine Primary School.

It is part of a council-run project, which aims to make the area safer for children during their journey to school.

But some parents and nearby residents have voiced their anger over the project.

Karen Purvin, who regularly walks her granddaughter to school, labelled the paintwork “dangerous”.

She added: “I was walking with my three-year-old granddaughter and she let go of my hand to play in the road where the Council have put flowered prints across the road in all different colours near Valentine School and two roads up. I think a child will get killed.”

Another nearby resident said: "Other things could have been done to keep the children safe, as they still have to come between cars and put themselves at risk. It's an accident waiting to happen."

While one mum, who has children that attend Valentine Primary School, said: "It hasn't really bothered us, it's actually nicer to see something bright and colourful."

SCC worked with partners Sustrans and Balfour Beatty to undertake the project, and extensive consultation on the scheme design took place with the local community over the period of a year.

After the trial, 95% of parents and residents indicated they would like to see the measures made permanent.

A spokesperson for SCC said: “The colourful artwork that’s been applied to the road near Valentine’s Primary School is a striking visual cue for young pedestrians and road users that this is a busy crossing point, acting as reminder for to ‘slow down and take care’.

“It is part of a redesign of the area outside of Valentine School which was co-designed together with pupils, parents and residents in order to make the area safer for children on their journey to school.”