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Ref: 269/08                                 12 August 2008

The ‘Reds’ Show The Route To Increased Road Safety

Crewe Alexander’s popular midfielder Joel Grant gave his support to Cheshire County Council’s latest road safety campaign when he was selected Man of the Match at the ‘Reds’ first game of the season.

While Crewe Alex were routed 2-1 by Brighton, Cheshire’s Road Safety Manager Richard Nickson was nevertheless impressed by the midfielder’s skills and enlisted the ‘reds’ to back the council’s Red Routes road safety campaign.

Cheshire County Council has rolled out their Red Routes road safety awareness campaign on the A530, and specifically Crewe’s neighbouring stretch between Middlewich and Nantwich.

It is one of eight routes through Cheshire, given Red Route status because of the A530’s high proportion of collisions and casualties with 186 casualties and 10 deaths over the last three years, with special road signs marking the ‘High Risk Collision Routes’

At the match, the first Coca Cola League 1 game of the season the campaign, Cheshire Safer Roads Partnership, which includes Fire and Police Services, placed promotional signage around the stadium to address the thousands of Crewe Alex supporters together with a message in the match programme and in an email letter to 8,000 fans.

A majority of A530 accidents involve male drivers under the age of 30 using inappropriate speed resulting in loss of control.

Richard Nickson commented, “We were really happy to work with Crewe Alex to get the vital message across particularly to such local young men. Drivers need to leave themselves time to judge the situation and react appropriately – just like footballers on the field striving to ensure the best result.

“But when on the road they should look out, slow down and keep a two second gap between their car and the one in front.”

The campaign will be focusing further local attention at Crewe during early autumn starting with a promotion at Crewe Carnival on August 23.

ENDS

DH/KM

Caption: Man of the Match. Midfielder Joel Grant receives his award from Cheshire Road Safety Manager Richard Nickson.

Note to Editors: Further information from Cheshire County Council Road Safety Manager Richard Nickson. Tel: 01244 973600.