London pedestrian crossings to have ‘green man’ showing unless car approaches
A green light for pedestrians will soon be the default setting at 18 crossings in London as the capital moves away from giving priority to vehicles.
The pedestrian crossings will show a ‘green man’ signal – and a red light for cars – until sensors detect traffic approaching. Seven are already up and running in London and 11 more will be added by the end of June.
The measure supports Transport for London’s goal to make London the ‘world’s most walkable city’ and capitalise on the increasing popularity of walking.
Data shows a huge rise in the number of journeys made by foot since the Covid pandemic started.
Nearly a third (31%) of Londoners have made walking their preferred mode of transport and 57% say they now take more walks for exercise, or for longer, than before.
The crossings were chosen by how often they are used and their closeness to nearby shopping centres, stations and schools.
London’s walking and cycling commissioner Will Norman said: ‘Walking has so many benefits – it doesn’t just enable us to get from A to B, but also improves our mental and physical health.
‘We know that safety is a key concern for people walking around London, and giving pedestrians priority is a powerful way of putting them first and making it easier to cross London’s roads.
‘By combining this with creating extra pavement space and ensuring roadworks are carried out in a way that doesn’t disrupt Londoners, we will make our city the world’s most walkable and eradicate collisions on our streets.’
Where are the 'green person authority' crossings in London?
- Prince Regent Lane by Alnwick Road – London Borough of Newham
- Heston Road by Hogarth Gardens – Hounslow
- Queens Road by Queens Crescent – Richmond upon Thames
- The Greenway by Merryfields – Hillingdon
- Castelnau by Newport Road – Richmond
- Devons Road by DLR station – Tower Hamlets
- Devons Road by DLR station – Tower Hamlets
They will also be added to these 11 locations by the end of June:
- London Road by James Street – Barking and Dagenham
- Gale Street by Becontree Station – Barking and Dagenham
- Bishopsgate by Great St Helens – City of London
- Long Lane by West Smithfield – City of London
- Woodcote Grove Road by Smitham Downs Road – Croydon
- Kingston Road by Rothesay Avenue – Merton
- Red Lion Street by Church Terrace – Richmond
- St Georges Way by Ebley Close – Southwark
- Wrythe Lane by Muschamp Road – Sutton
- Green Wrythe Lane by Aultone Way – Sutton
- Cavendish Square by Henrietta Place – Westminster
MORE : Forget 10,000 steps a day, you just need 10 minutes of brisk walking to stay healthy
MORE : The incredible mental health benefits of walking and hiking
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