Pedestrian Crossings

Controlled Crossings

There are four types of controlled crossings, Zebra, Pelican, Puffin and Toucan.

ZEBRA CROSSINGS.

These are the oldest type of crossing but are quite rare these days. The main features are belisha beacons (Orange flashing globes atop black and white banded poles), black and white stripes going across the road, and white zig-zag markings on the edges and middle of the road.
You must stop and give way to pedestrians anywhere on the crossing.

PELICAN CROSSINGS

These crossings feature traffic light signals which are triggered when a pedestrian pushes a button. You must stop when the amber or red light shows. After a while the red light will go out and the amber light will flash. Wait if people are crossing the road, but if the whole crossing is clear you may proceed with caution. Pelican crossings are the only place you will find the flashing amber light feature on traffic signals.

PUFFIN CROSSINGS

These look like Pelican crossings, but are "smart". Sensors detect pedestrians and will keep the red light on as long as needed to allow people to cross. When the crossing is clear, the lights revert to green in the normal way...red to red and amber to green. Do not proceed until the green light shows, and still be prepared to give way to pedestrians who may move onto the crossing.

TOUCAN CROSSINGS

These are Puffin crossings which can also be used by cyclists, and are most commonly to be found where a cycle path crosses a road. The cyclist or pedestrian can trigger the crossing by using the push button.
On the other crossings, cyclists should dismount and walk their bike across.

Other Crossing Places

There are many other places people can cross the road. Look out for islands in the road, usually with bollards and a lamp post on them, and also look out for "Tactile Paving", knobbly paving slabs, usually beige coloured, which are for the blind and partially sighted who can feel the "knobbles" under their feet. This tells them that they are at a crossing point. These will be seen at contolled crossings too.