To encourage people to walk and to improve safety, the Council is working with Transport for London on a continuing programme for the provision of pedestrian crossing facilities, and the review of existing signalled junctions to highlight where pedestrian priority and safety can be improved.
100% of our crossings are now accessible for disabled users. This means that all crossings have tactile paving, dropped kerbs, and where appropriate audible signals.
The signal components of all pelican, puffin and toucan crossings in London are maintained by Transport for London’s (TfL) Traffic Signal Section. The Council maintains the fabric of the paving and road surface. Where any of these types of crossing are installed they are designed in conjunction with TfL.
Different types of crossing
Pelican crossings (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. We no longer install pelicans as the newer puffin crossings provide a better facility for pedestrians.
Puffin crossings (Pedestrian User Friendly Intelligent Crossing)
Puffin crossings look very similar to pelicans but are an updated version. One of the main differences is that the red and green man signals are just above the WAIT box and not on the other side of the road. Pedestrians should press the button on the box. Puffin crossings have special sensors built in which can detect a pedestrian waiting and make sure that traffic remains stopped until all the pedestrians have crossed the road. Puffins do not have a flashing green man for pedestrians or a flashing amber for drivers.
Zebra crossings
This crossing has black and white stripes (like a zebra) 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. Zebras are usually sited in streets with fewer traffic problems/lower speeds and therefore less accidents.
Toucan crossings (Two-can cross)
These crossings are provided for 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 cycle 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.
Requesting a new pedestrian crossing
The Council receives many requests each year for new crossings. To help use precious resources to best effect, each site is surveyed and the results compared with national criteria to identify the most needy locations. The main factors measured are the number of people crossing and the amount of traffic. Other factors include the number of injures on the road near the site and local features such as hospitals, schools and shops. If it is felt that a formal crossing would be beneficial we will seek funding to allow us to install one.
FAQs
How do I report that the visibility for pedestrians is poor at a pelican crossing?
Please write to the traffic and parking group giving details. We will investigate and respond to you directly.
How do I request for more time to cross the road at a pedestrian crossing?
The length of time the green man signal can be displayed is governed by safety regulations. It has been shown that if the green man signal is showing for too long drivers can think that the lights are stuck and will drive on. This is obviously a safety risk. The time that the green man is showing is based on a crossing speed of 1.2m per second (which is fairly slow). On a pelican crossing this is followed by a phase where the green man is flashing (you should not start to cross when the green man is flashing) and there is a flashing amber signal for drivers.
Transport for London (TfL) are responsible for the signal timings on all traffic lights and signalled crossings in London. If you would like TfL to review the green man time you can contact them on 0845 305 1234 or via the street faults section of the TfL website.
Is it possible to have a green man on the traffic lights?
It is not always possible to incorporate a pedestrian phase (green man) at every set of traffic lights. Sometimes allowing time for a green man phase would cause massive traffic congestion. However, where possible, TfL (who manage all traffic signals in London) will try to have a green man phase. If you have a query about a specific set of traffic signals please contact TfL on 0845 305 1234 or via the street faults section of the TfL website.
How can I report a pelican/puffin/toucan?
All traffic signals (traffic lights and signalled pedestrian crossings) in London are designed and maintained by TfL’s Traffic Signal Section rather than by the local authorities. If you want to report a fault on any traffic signals in Lewisham please contact TfL on 0845 305 1234 or via the street faults section of the TfL website.
How can I report a fault in the pavement or road surface at a crossing?
You can report any fault in the pavement or road surface at a crossing either using the online Street Fault report form or by phoning CallPoint.
How can I request a new pedestrian refuge?
Please write to the traffic and parking group giving details. We will investigate and respond to you directly.
If a pedestrian refuge will be beneficial we will add the scheme to a list of Small Traffic Management Schemes. The list is updated annually and we design and implement as many schemes each year as funding permits. The Council does however receive many requests for minor traffic management measures and it is not always possible for all of the schemes requested to be put in.