Adam Tranter@adamtranter
What if I told you we could make crossing the road easier, more comfortable, and make walking more attractive for short journeys?
What if I told you this could be done at a fraction of the cost of the usual way, by using "simplified" or "side road" zebra crossings?
What if I told you the studies have shown they have high levels of compliance, even without the usual Belisha beacons?
What if I told you the presence of these simplified crossings is merely reinforcing pedestrian priority already detailed within the Highway Code updates?
What if I told you civil servants and Government ministers use them every day (the video shown is outside the Department for Transport offices), but only because one local authority decided to take a risk and try them out (credit Westminster City Council), despite official guidance not permitting them.
What if I told you they could cost as little as £300, compared to between £50,000-£100,000 for a full zebra crossing with Belisha beacons.
What if I told you they were already commonplace all across Europe?
What if I told you, starting March 11, 2026, Welsh local authorities can install simplified zebra crossings at side road junctions in 20mph zones? (because: Devolution)
It's about time England got a move on and permitted them through updating The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016. The Government could also publish the long-awaited Manual for Streets 3, while they were at it.
