Reporting a fault with a pedestrian crossing
All Puffin and Pelican Crossings within Bolton are managed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM). If you see a fault on a signalled crossing (with a button to press), this can be reported to TfGM using their online service.
TfGM traffic lights faults
Zebra crossings are managed by Bolton Council. Any faults with the Belisha beacons (orange flashing globes) should be reported to Streetcare.
Streetcare
01204 33 66 00
streetcare@bolton.gov.uk
How is it decided where crossings are situated?
Pedestrian crossings are provided wherever there is a difficulty for pedestrians wishing to cross the road and where specific criteria in terms of numbers of pedestrians and passing vehicles are met. In general terms, during the busiest hours of the day, there would need to be about 1000 vehicles per hour passing along the road, and about 100 pedestrians per hour wishing to cross at a particular location.
In addition they are sometimes provided at locations where it has been identified that pedestrians are being injured.
Puffin and Pelican crossings
The crossings which are now installed are called 'Puffin Crossings'. These have the red and green man signals just above the WAIT box and not on the other side of the road.
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.
Over the next few years Puffins will replace the traditional 'Pelican Crossings', which have the pedestrian indicator light on the opposite side of the road. Wherever possible, pedestrian crossing facilities are also provided at traffic signals at junctions.
Toucan and Pegasus crossings
Toucan crossings are designed for both pedestrians and cyclists and are typically used adjacent to a cycle-path (Cyclists are not allowed to cross the road using Zebra, Pelican or Puffin crossings). There is a green cycle symbol alongside the green man. At the latest Toucan crossings the crossing time is established each time by on-crossing detectors in the same way as Puffins.
Pegasus crossings are similar to Toucan crossings but have a red/green horse symbol and higher mounted push buttons to allow horse riders to cross. This type of crossing is only used where many crossing movements are made across a busy main road.
Zebra crossings
Occasionally Zebra Crossings are installed and whilst there is criteria to be met, the pedestrian and traffic numbers required are smaller than those for a Puffin Crossing. At locations where pedestrian numbers are even lower, we sometimes provide central islands to allow the road to be crossed in two stages.
Any requests for new crossings of any type will be considered in the context of the Council's transport strategy and available resources. To enquire about the options for possible crossing sites please contact the Network Management team using the contact information on the tab above.
Enhanced features to assist disabled people
These include:
Tactile cones under the push button - These rotate when the pedestrian signal is green. This is for pedestrians with visual impairments.
Tactile paving at the crossing point - So that visually impaired pedestrians can locate the control box and cone device and know when they have reached the other side. Sand coloured is used at non-signalled crossings, and red is used at signalised locations.
Audible beeps - to help blind or partially-sighted pedestrians