June 21st, 2020: Pelican Crossing

[xoxoxoBruce]

Since the introduction of new regulations in 1997, the number of zebra crossings and Belisha beacons has fallen in the northern counties of England, being replaced by pelican crossings or puffin crossings, with pedestrian-controlled traffic signals; a waiting pedestrian can stop vehicular traffic by pressing a button and waiting for the pedestrian signal of a red and green man to change to green.

Great sport for bored kids, hang around the light and when a car comes push the button and make them stop. Then don't cross just stand there and watch them boil. Big prestige if you can made steam come out of their ears.

The green man can be accompanied by a green bicycle to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and cyclists; continuing the bird-name theme, this type of crossing is called a toucan crossing, as in, 'two can' cross. Another variation is the pegasus crossing where the pedestrian is accompanied by a green horse to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and horses, for example, at Hyde Park Corner, London.

What? If you're riding a bike or a horse you can't use just any pedestrian crossing, you have to go find one with a horse or bike on the light? That's silly.

[Carruthers]

Never mind crossings for bikes or horses. In Tring they have a crossing for Humped Zebras.

The creature in question is somewhat elusive though.



Street View

Drifting a bit, but Sundae made a video shot from the top deck of a bus through Tring a few years back.

It passes the above spot at about the 3.00 mark and curiously it is featured in the initial frame.

[xoxoxoBruce]

I don't remember that video at all, not a glimmer.