Confusion at text speak markings

A MUM was left confused when some new road markings appeared on a pavement.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Apr 2011, 15:57 BST

The markings instruct pedestrians to ‘PLS USE XING’ — a text message-style abbreviation for ‘Please use the crossing’.

Michelle Rodd saw the markings in Cross Park Street, Earlsheaton. She said: “I couldn’t believe it. I thought, ‘What about elderly people?’ I bet most of them would not know what it said.

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“I’m 31 and I took me a while to click. I’ve shown it to older and younger people and nobody has got it straight away.”

A council spokeswoman said: “This is a brand new crossing on a school route and the council wants to get as many children as possible to use the crossing – there should be no problem with children understanding the abbreviation.

“The paint will fade over time and is unlikely to be replaced – we are just trying to get people into the habit of using the new crossing.

“We will be monitoring the site to see what effect it has.”

Is the use of text-speak English a good idea or a bad example to set to children? E-mail your views to [email protected]