Crossings

Introduction to crossings

Choosing the correct location for a crossing is integral to creating successful active travel networks and active places.

Direct and convenient crossing facilities can make walking, wheeling and cycling more appealing. Where walking and cycling networks are separated by heavily trafficked roads, appropriate crossing facilities should be provided.

Crossings should be placed where most people want to cross the road. This means that crossings should be located as near as possible to the desire line, which is the most direct route that people want to take. Crossing points should have good sightlines.

All crossings should be provided at surface level as this is more accessible and convenient. All pedestrian crossings should be provided with tactile paving.

The specific conditions in a street will determine what form of crossing is most relevant. There are different options for providing crossings for pedestrians and cyclists.

Pedestrian crossings

Pedestrian crossings can take the form of:

uncontrolled crossings
controlled crossings including zebra crossings and signalised crossings

Uncontrolled crossings are commonly used to assist pedestrians in crossing side roads along a main route. They feature dropped kerbs to transition between the footway and carriageway levels and incorporate tactile paving. Sometimes known as informal crossings, they may be used in lower traffic areas by careful use of paving materials, street furniture and vertical deflection (raised surfaces) to imply priority for pedestrians over vehicles.

Pedestrian refuges and kerb build outs may be used at uncontrolled crossings to narrow the carriageway. This will slow traffic and reduce the crossing distance.

Cycle crossings

Cycle crossings can take the form of:

uncontrolled crossings where an off-highway route crosses the road
cycle priority crossings where give way markings are used to give a cycle route priority over a lightly trafficked street
parallel crossings such as a separate cycle crossing that runs parallel with a zebra crossing
a toucan crossing shared with pedestrians and cyclists, typically with no separation between the users
a signal controlled cycle facility, including standalone crossings for cycles only or sparrow crossings. A sparrow crossing enables a protected cycle track to cross a road parallel to the marked pedestrian crossing space

Active Travel England tools

The ATE crossing selector tool provides a range of suitable design options when considering how to connect walking, wheeling and cycling routes over a main road between two side roads.

Additional resources

Crossings considerations in the ATE route check tool

The ATE route check tool considers crossings for pedestrians and cyclists in SA06, SA07, SA08, SA09, SA10, ST28, PA30, PA35 and PA36.

ATE route check tool

ATE crossing selector tool

The ATE crossing selector tool provides design options to identify the appropriate crossing type for the specific local context.

ATE crossing selector tool

Cycle crossings in Cycle Infrastructure Design (LTN 1/20)

Cycle Infrastructure Design (LTN 1/20) provides detailed information on cycle crossings and when each type of crossing is appropriate in section 10.4.

Cycle Infrastructure Design (LTN 1/20)

Pedestrian crossings in Manual for Streets

Section 6.3 of Manual for Streets provides further detail on different types of crossing and where their use is appropriate.

Manual for Streets

Accessible crossings in Inclusive Mobility

Inclusive Mobility provides detailed information on making controlled and uncontrolled pedestrian crossing facilities accessible.

Inclusive Mobility

Different crossing types in the Greater Manchester Streets for All Design Guide

Section 3.2 of the Greater Manchester Streets for All Design Guide provides guidance on design requirements for walking, wheeling and cycling across a street.

Greater Manchester Streets for All Design Guide