Merton Council is working in partnership with the nationally-renowned children’s Polka Theatre to bring its all-important road safety message to primary school children across the borough.

Throughout the month of June the council’s road safety experts along with actors from Merton’s Polka Theatre will be visiting 40 schools and performing Around the Corner .

Around the Corner is a brand new play especially written and directed by John McCraw at the Polka Theatre for Merton’s primary school children. Aimed at seven-year olds, the play features a father walking his son Spike to school. Spike is played by a puppet who interacts with his real-life dad to demonstrate how he walks to school safely. The interactive element to the play enables children to participate in the play rather than just be passive spectators. The play emphasises the health and environmental benefits of walking to school. Its words and actions bring to life potential road hazards and demonstrate the correct way to cross the road.

The tour builds on the success of ‘Arrive Alive’ – Polka’s road safety show for Year 6 pupils which toured Merton last year.

Merton Council cabinet member for planning and traffic management Councillor William Brierly said: ‘This is a wonderful way to engage with young people and communicate with them the all-important road safety messages. We always try to put the needs of our young people first. Working in partnership with organisations like the Polka Theatre means that we can develop creative and fun ways of bringing to life serious issues.’