Environment
Active Travel Pilot Scheme for new Limerick Zebra Crossings
Limerick Zebra Crossings – five crossings will have a fixed sign to replace the orange beacon as part of an Active Travel pilot scheme.
The new crossings will be considerably cheaper, as installation of the Belisha Beacon lights can be up to €80,000
The National Transport Authority, in collaboration with the Department of Transport and Active Travel teams in Limerick City and County Council and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, is beginning a pilot scheme for a new type of zebra crossing.
The pilot will see eight new zebra crossings installed, five in Limerick and three in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, without flashing orange Belisha Beacon lights. Instead, the new zebra crossings will include fixed signs that will alert motorists to the crossing. These crossings will be considerably cheaper, as installation of the Belisha Beacon lights can be up to €80,000. The pilot scheme is set to run for nine months. While the scheme will not eliminate the use of Belisha Beacon lights, it will help inform a decision on where the lights can be replaced with fixed signs.
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It is anticipated that by facilitating crossings in legislation without a requirement for beacons, which will provide for the right of way for pedestrians to cross, it will allow Road Authorities to increase the number of crossing points and assist with active travel and pedestrian safety in urban areas where Speed Limits are 50km/h or less.
The five new Limerick zebra crossings will be located at, St Nessan’s Park, Dooradoyle, Springfield Drive, Dooradoyle, Carrig Drive, Dooradoyle, School Road, Lisnagry and Railway Road, Castleconnell.
Anne Graham, CEO of the National Transport Authority said, “Working with our partners in the local authorities, the NTA is looking for innovative ways to roll out new infrastructure that will make it safer for pedestrians. Based on the findings of the pilot, we could see more of these easier to install zebra crossings appearing on roads nationwide.”
Joe Seymour, Head of Active Travel Investment at the National Transport Authority said, “This type of zebra crossing is much cheaper to implement and will have far less ongoing maintenance costs. There is also the benefit of no longer requiring any electric power as there are no flashing beacons. As a result, they can be delivered in a more timely manner.”
A Twitter user shared their opinion on the pilot scheme saying, “Very positive move. This will knock out the excuses stopping the installation of zebra crossings and is only bringing us in line with best practice across most of Europe.”
Find out more about the zebra crossing pilot scheme
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