Pedestrian
crossings
Contact: Tel 020 7332 1234 or
email plans@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Pelican crossing (pedestrian light
controlled crossing)
Zebra crossing
Toucan crossings (Two-can cross)
Pedestrian refuges
To encourage people to walk and to improve safety, the City of
London has installed pedestrian crossings extensively across the
'Square Mile'. There are four main types of pedestrian crossing in
the City:
Pelican crossing (pedestrian
light controlled crossing)
Pelican crossings are controlled by the pedestrian pressing the
button on the WAIT box. Pedestrians should only cross when the
green man lights up and all the traffic has stopped. Sometimes
there is a bleeper to help blind or partially sighted people know
when it is safe to cross. Alternatively, there may be a rotating
knob underneath the WAIT box which turns when the green man lights
up. Pedestrians should not start to cross if the green man is
flashing. The Corporation no longer installs Pelican crossings as a
standard light controlled crossing provides a better facility for
pedestrians.
Zebra crossing
The crossing has black and white stripes with orange flashing
beacons at each end. A Zebra crossing gives the pedestrian right of
way once their foot is on the crossing. However, pedestrians must
make sure that all the traffic has stopped before crossing and they
should keep looking and listening as they cross. Many people ask
for Zebra crossings to be changed to Puffin Crossings, believing
them to be safer. Recent research ahs shown that the safety record
of both types of crossing is very similar and that, in some cases,
Zebra crossings are safer.
Toucan crossings (Two-can
cross)
These crossings are provided fro pedestrians and cyclists,
usually at sites where cycle routes cross busy roads. They are
similar to a Puffin with the crossing operated by a push button on
the WAIT box. On a Toucan there is a green and red signal as well
as the more familiar red and green man. The main advantage for
cyclists is that they do not have to dismount to cross. Toucans
also have sensors to detect pedestrians using the crossing. There
is no flashing green man signal and drivers must wait for a green
light.
Pedestrian refuges
In some locations, where a pedestrian crossing cannot be
justified, a pedestrian refuge (traffic island) may be placed.
These narrow the road and allow pedestrians to cross in two halves
with a safe place to wait in the middle. Pedestrians should cross
with care as drivers have priority at traffic islands.