Road safety - pedestrian crossings

Types of pedestrian crossings:

• Pelican crossings
• Puffin crossings
• Toucan crossings
• Zebra crossings

General information for Pelican and Puffin crossings

These crossings are controlled by traffic lights. Zig-zag markings in the road, either side of the crossing, are to prevent vehicles from waiting or parking on the crossing and to prohibit vehicles from overtaking. Usually there are iron railings in place to prevent pedestrians from crossing the road away from the crossing.

Pelican crossings

The name Pelican derives from 'Pedestrian Light Controlled', adapted to match the name of the bird.  

Pedestrians wishing to cross the road must push a button which activates the traffic lights. There is a red man / green man indicator on the far side of the crossing. Once the green man is illuminated it is safe to cross the road. When the green man starts flashing, you should not start to cross. If you have already started to cross there will be sufficient time to finish crossing safely.

At most Pelican crossings there is also a bleeping sound to assist the visually impaired, and some crossings have a tactile signal to assist deafblind people.

Puffin crossings

The name Puffin derives from 'Pedestrian User-Friendly Intelligent', adapted to match the name of the bird.  

The Puffin crossing has infra-red detectors which extend the time available for pedestrians to cross the road. The detectors can also cancel a request to cross if the pedestrian moves away from the crossing area. The traffic lights have no flashing amber phase, so they change just like normal traffic lights at a junction.

Pedestrians wishing to cross the road must push a button which activates the traffic lights. There is a red man / green man indicator above the pushbutton. Once the green man is illuminated it is safe to cross the road. When the green man starts flashing, you should not start to cross. If you have already started to cross there will be sufficient time to finish crossing safely.

At most Puffin crossings there is also a bleeping sound to assist the visually impaired, and some crossings have a tactile signal to assist deafblind people.

Toucan crossings

These crossings are controlled by traffic lights. Zig-zag markings in the road, either side of the crossing, are to prevent vehicles from waiting or parking on the crossing and to prohibit vehicles from overtaking. Usually there are iron railings in place to prevent pedestrians or cyclists from crossing the road away from the crossing.

The name Toucan derives from the fact that 'two can' cross at the same time, adapted to match the name of the bird.

The Toucan crossing has infra-red detectors which extend the time available for pedestrians/cyclists to cross the road. The detectors can also cancel a request to cross if the pedestrian/cyclist moves away from the crossing area.

Toucan crossings are usually 4 metres wide instead of the standard 2.8 metres. This is to enable cyclists to ride across the road without impeding pedestrians.

Toucan crossings permit pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road at the same time. Pedestrians/cyclists wishing to cross the road must push a button which activates the lights. There are red man / green man and green cycle indicators either above the pushbutton or on the far side of the crossing. Once the green man and green cycle are illuminated it is safe to cross the road. When the green man and green cycle start flashing, you should not start to cross. If you have already started to cross there will be sufficient time to finish crossing safely.

At most Toucan crossings there is also a bleeping sound to assist the visually impaired, and some crossings have a tactile signal to assist deafblind people.

Zebra crossings

A Zebra crossing is a path across a road consisting of alternate black and white stripes, enabling pedestrians to cross safely. Zig-zag markings in the road, either side of the crossing, are to prevent vehicles from waiting or parking on the crossing and to prohibit vehicles from overtaking.

Zebra crossings do not have traffic lights; however they do usually have Belisha beacons - flashing amber globes mounted on black and white striped poles.

Zebra crossings are not suitable for roads where the speed limit is in excess of 30 mph.

Pedestrian crossings started adopting animal names in 1951 with the introduction of Zebra crossings.

Before starting to cross the road at a Zebra crossing, pedestrians should give traffic enough time to see them and to come to a complete stop. Wait until traffic has stopped from either directions, or the road is clear, before starting to cross. 

Reporting a faulty crossing

Contact us, using the numbers in the contact details link, or after hours on 01708 433999

Please indicate the precise location of the crossing by telling us the following:

1. The name of the road or street where the crossing is located.
2. Any junction with other roads.
3. The nearest house number or the closest landmark.
4. Additional information required to enable us to allocate priority

Belisha beacon poles

• Has it been damaged, e.g. exposed wires?
• Has it been knocked over?
• Is it permanently on?
• Is the light bulb dead?

Service standard

Minor faults and bulb replacement will be taken care of within 7 days.

The local electricity company - EDF - is responsible for the electrical supply to these lights. Power supply problems that have to be dealt with by EDF can take up to 4 months.