Road safety: pedestrian crossings

Every year we receive requests for zebra or light controlled crossings from residents. Each request is taken on its own merit. Many factors are taken into consideration in assessing the need for a crossing.

• the record of personal injury accidents, including those involving pedestrians
• the volumes of vehicular and pedestrian traffic
• the potential for conflict between pedestrians and vehicles
• the difficulty that pedestrians face from traffic speed
• the length of time pedestrians have to wait before they can cross
• the location e.g. close to stations or schools
• pedestrian routes used by children walking to school
• locations that may be used in particular by the elderly or disabled
• other proposed highway developments
• future developments and regeneration schemes

Pelican crossings

Pelican Crossings are light controlled crossings. They have traffic lights for drivers and a red and green man for pedestrians.

Puffin crossings

Puffin Crossings are like pelican crossings, but they have detectors that can tell when people are waiting to cross. This is why you must stand by the push button box if the red man signal is showing. The detectors also 'watch' the crossing and control the light signals so that you have time to cross in safety.

Zebra crossings

Zebra Crossings are used on roads where there is a lower degree of vehicle and pedestrian conflict.

Toucan crossings

Toucan crossings are where pedestrians and cyclists share a wide crossing area. Cyclists can ride across and all users should avoid changing direction suddenly. Cyclists should keep their speed down and be prepared to give way to avoid possible conflicts.

Pedestrian refuges and islands

Where a formal pedestrian crossing is not justified these can help pedestrians by letting them cross the road in two stages.

To report a problem with a faulty pedestrian crossing please use our street lighting report form