We are committed to making sustainable modes of transport safer, easier, and more accessible across the city.

Our pedestrian programme has two key parts: providing new crossings and upgrading existing crossings.

New Crossings – Measures to Encourage Walking (MEW)

This programme looks at requests for new pedestrian crossings. Our assessment process considers the most suitable type of crossing for each location, local traffic and pedestrian flows, collision history, nearby amenities, community links, and value for money. Sites are scored and prioritised to ensure new facilities are provided where they are needed most.

Choosing the right crossing

Depending on the outcome of the assessment, different types of pedestrian crossing may be introduced. These can range from simple dropped kerbs and refuge islands to zebra crossings and fully signal-controlled facilities such as puffin or toucan crossings, ensuring that each site receives the most appropriate solution for local needs.

Where cycle routes are present, we look to adopt measures that complement pedestrian facilities and support safer, more convenient journeys for everyone.

Upgrading Existing Crossings – Pedestrian Crossing Safety Assessment (PCSA)

This programme reviews existing pedestrian crossings to make sure they remain safe, accessible, and up to date with the latest technology. Each site is assessed against factors such as road and footway condition, tactile paving, equipment, traffic flows, and collision history. Locations are then prioritised to guide where upgrades are delivered first.

Road safety interventions are prioritised based on evidence, with road traffic collisions a key factor.

You can view official, police-reported injury collisions across Great Britain for free on the CrashMap website.

Here’s a list of commonly used pedestrian and cycle route improvement features, click on them to find out a little more information:

Dropped Kerb with Tactile Paving

Where & Why

  • Low pedestrian demand, light traffic (side roads, residential streets).
  • Example counts Pedestrians=40/hr, Vehicle=300/hr
  • Improves access; not intended to manage traffic.

Advantages

  • Low cost, quick to deliver.
  • Essential for accessibility (wheelchairs, prams, visually impaired).
  • Minimal impact on vehicle flow.

Disadvantages

  • Potential high pedestrian delay at busy times.
  • Limited safety benefits on faster/busier roads.
  • Not suitable where demand or speeds are higher.
Pedestrian Refuge

Where & Why

• Low–moderate pedestrian demand with moderate traffic on wider roads (more than 8m).

• Example counts Pedestrians=120/hr, Vehicle=450/hr

• Allows two-stage crossing where continuous gaps are scarce.

Advantages

• Safer than crossing in one movement.

• Relatively low cost; little signal equipment.

• Usually low vehicle delay.

Disadvantages

• Pedestrian delay remains.

• Needs road width; can constrain turning/lanes.

• Less effective with high speeds or heavy flows.

Zebra Crossing

Where & Why

  • Moderate pedestrian demand and moderate to relatively high traffic on lower-speed roads.
  • Example counts Pedestrians=220/hr, Vehicle=600/hr
  • Gives pedestrians priority without signals.

Advantages

  • Low pedestrian delay (cross when drivers yield).
  • Encourages lower speeds/driver awareness.
  • Cheaper and simpler to maintain than signals.

Disadvantages

  • Reliant on driver compliance.
  • Can cause vehicle delay with heavy pedestrian use.
  • Not suitable on high-speed or multi-lane approaches.
Puffin Crossing

Where & Why

  • High pedestrian demand with busy traffic (urban corridors, near amenities).
  • Example counts Pedestrians=400/hr, Vehicle=800/hr
  • Sensors adjust timings for efficiency/safety.

Advantages

  • Vehicle detectors can help reduce unnecessary pedestrian delay.
  • On crossing sensors can detect if a person is still crossing and extend the delay to vehicles, reducing the risk of accidents caused by people being stranded in the carriageway.
  • Can be coordinated with nearby signal junctions.

Disadvantages

  • More expensive/complex than zebra or refuge.
  • Some delay to pedestrians at peak times.
  • More costly to install and maintain.
Toucan Crossing

Where & Why

• High pedestrian & cycle demand with busy traffic on cycle routes.

• Example counts Pedestrians/Cyclists=400/hr, Vehicle=800/hr

• Shared signal-controlled space.

Advantages

• One facility for two modes; network friendly.

• Signal control improves safety at higher flows.

• Can integrate with signal coordination.

Disadvantages

• Wider footprint/approach design needed.

• Pedestrian/cycle delay while waiting for stage.

• More costly to install and maintain.

Pedestrian Facilities at Signal-Controlled Junctions

Where & Why

• High pedestrian demand with heavy, continuous traffic.

• Example counts Pedestrians/Cyclists=400/hr, Vehicle=800/hr

• Integrates pedestrian crossings with the need to control vehicle movements.

Advantages

• Highest control and safety on complex, high-flow sites.

• Can balance network performance via coordination.

• Accessible features (audible/tactile) standard.

Disadvantages

• Highest capital/maintenance cost.

• Pedestrian delay can be significant on long cycles.

• Can increase vehicle delay if poorly timed or over-saturated.

For any other road safety enquiries, you can contact the road safety team.

Contact Road Safety

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