IT’S known as the busiest street in Brighton.

But pedestrians passing through North Street – which has been closed for a number of weeks owing to roadworks – have been left with something other than the traffic to talk about.

Over the last four weeks the road has been closed while Southern Water carries out repairs to water mains that run through the street.

During this time people have converged on the road to adorn the usually grey tarmac with colourful chalk doodles.

Abbie Cooper, a Christian Dior consultant in Boots in North Street, said: “I had a customer come in earlier today, who said ‘can you believe they’ve destroyed the road already?’

“But I think it’s really lovely. It’s always nice to see happy messages and to have graffiti that has a positive message and isn’t just a nonsense spray painted tag.”

Boots has been the target of spray paint tagging in the past, with The Argus reporting on graffiti vandalism of both its North Street and London Road stores.

However, the chalk drawings on the new tarmac in North Street share a positive message, including a picture of a whale captioned “Have a whale of a time”, others with the words “Always be kind. Always eat dessert”, and “Dance to your own beat”.

Another was an outline of a hopscotch grid for children to play on.

Lara Giardini, supervisor at Ryman’s stationers in North Street, said: “It’s definitely very typical of Brighton.

“It’s a shame it’s not going to last long... It looks like better quality pastels instead of basic chalk as it’s so colourful, but it will still wear away with the rain.

“I’ve seen people with bits of chalk or pastel drawing on the pavement before, but sadly it doesn’t last.”

Those enjoying the inspirational quotes and drawings on the road only have a limited time to continue to do so, as rain is meant to hit Brighton tomorrow and for the rest of the week – and the chalk will wash away.

Artists and doodlers may return, though with the road set to re-open next month there is not a lot of time left to enjoy the messages.

For more pictures of the chalk doodles, visit www.theargus.co.uk