Pedestrian crossings in the United Kingdom

The first pedestrian crossing signal was erected in Bridge Street, Westminster, London, in December 1868.

It was the idea of John Peake Knight, a railway engineer, who thought that it would provide a means to safely allow pedestrians to cross this busy thoroughfare.

The semaphore arms were augmented by gas illuminated lights at the top (green and red) to increase visibility of the signal at night.

However, in January 1869, the gas used to illuminate the lights at the top leaked and caused an explosion, injuring the police operator.

A reader of The Times wrote to the editor in 1911:"Could you do something to help the pedestrian to recover the old margin of safety on our common streets and roads?

If a pedestrian now has even one hesitation or failure the chance of escape from a dreadful death is now much less than when all vehicles were much slower.

It is surely a scandal that on the common ways there should be undue apprehension in the minds of the weakest users of them.

While the streets and roads are for all, of necessity the pedestrians, and the feeblest of these, should receive the supreme consideration.

[4]: 142 Defunct crossings include: There are two common types of pedestrian signal in the UK: nearside and farside.

Common uses may be a pedestrian island on a one way street or where a contraflow bus lane is in use.

[6] At times these markings have been painted incorrectly, which can create confusing situations for pedestrians.

[11] The guidance recommends that pedestrian push buttons be located on the right side of the crossing waiting area.