A few new features have been added recently to Blackpool’s roads to help Pedestrians cross. Pelicans, Puffins and Toucans have been popping up all over the town and not everyone understands how to use them.
So, to get everyone across the road safely, Blackpool Council’s Travel and Road Safety team have put together a simple explanation of the new features on our roads.
Puffin Crossings
Puffin Crossings look similar to pelican crossings but have extra 
benefits for all road users.
At a puffin crossing pedestrians will find the red and green man on the traffic light pole to their right. This is helpful as it encourages pedestrians to look at the traffic that is heading towards them and they will see when it has stopped.
No one waits for long at a puffin crossing as it has detectors to monitor traffic. This allows pedestrians extra time when crossing the road. The crossing period is adjusted for different people, depending on how long they need to get across. The lights don’t change until all pedestrians have crossed the road, although the time is limited within reason!.
To keep traffic flowing, vehicles are not stopped if no pedestrians are waiting to cross. If pedestrians have pressed the button to cross and then changed their minds, the puffin will sense this and traffic will not be stopped. This means reduced waiting times and fewer unnecessary stops for drivers.
Puffins also sense a gap in the traffic and change then for pedestrians to cross.
Blind, deaf and disabled people get more help at puffin crossings thanks to tactile paving and a rotating cone to let blind and partially sighted people know when it is safe to cross.
Blackpool already has Puffin Crossings on Devonshire Road, Poulton Road and the Promenade.
When you want to cross press the button on your right and wait for the green man to appear. Puffin Crossings do not have a flashing green man or a flashing amber light for drivers.
Toucan Crossings
‘Two can’ cross at a toucan crossing. At these crossings pedestrians and cyclists share a wider crossing area than normal to allow space for everyone. This is the only crossing where
cyclists can ride across on their bikes rather than
having to get off and walk across.
Like the Puffins, Toucan crossings cleverly detect and monitor pedestrians, cycles and vehicles so that they all get a fair share of the crossing without unnecessary delays.
When approaching the crossing, pedestrians and cyclists should press the button to their right and wait until the green man and the green cycle signs light up. They can then cross the road.
Zebras and Pelicans
At Zebras Pedestrians must wait at the kerb until traffic has stopped. Once on the crossing, pedestrians have the right of way.
At a pelican pedestrians can stop the traffic by pushing a button to change the lights.
They must only start to cross when the steady green man is shown.
At all crossings where pedestrians cross, drivers should be aware that pedestrians have the right of way. However, pedestrians should always check that traffic has stopped before crossing.