Don't look down now: Cyclists faced with huge 'hole' in the ground on towpath... luckily it's just pavement art




This frightening image of crater-like hole in the middle of a towpath makes Britain's pot holes pale into insignificance.

Thankfully, it is just a three dimensional drawing of a canyon, all in the name of pavement art... and to make careless cyclists slow down.

The artwork was commissioned by British Waterways and has been installed along the Regent's Canal towpath in Islington, North London.

Balancing act: A cyclist negotiates a plank which runs over a giant 'hole' along Regent's Canal towpath in North London... but it's just a canvas painting



It came in response to reports of cyclists riding carelessly and endangering pedestrians.

But now it is hoped the hole, which is painted on a canvas and edged with chalk, will make riders slow down for fear of falling.

The work is by Joe Hill and Max Lowry, street artists who specialise in three-dimensional images.

Don't look down: British Waterways commissioned the artwork in response to cyclists riding carelessly. It is hoped the campaign will slow riders down



On the plank: The design was done by Joe Hill and Max Lowry, street artists who specialise in three-dimensional images

The artists also painted Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling falling down a black hole outside the Treasury before the Budget was announced in April.

They started working on street art together around five years ago and live in London, with Joe situated north of the River Thames in Camden and Max living on the south side in Clapham.

The pair also painted Gordon Brown and Alistair Darling falling down a black hole outside the Treasury before the Budget was announced in April.

British Waterways will keep the new painting to use in other areas.



Joseph Young, its towpath manager, told the London Evening Standard : 'The majority of cyclists share the space amicably.



'However, there are a handful who refuse to slow down. That's why we commissioned this art - we hope it will shock.'



