01/12/03 - Plans to install a new pedestrian crossing on Whinbush Way in Darlington are being draw up by the Council's highways engineers.
The Puffin( Pedestrian user-friendly intelligent) crossing is to be installed between the Asda supermarket and Oban Court. Puffin crossings contain a number of sensors to pederstrians at the kerbside and crossing the road as well as detecting oncoming vehicles. The sensors provide pedestrians with enough time to cross the road safely and keep traffic delays to a minimum.
In addition to the crossing, work will be carried out to create a central pedestrian refuge and carriageways will be reduced to single lanes in both directions. The project will cost £50,000 to complete and work is expected to take four to six weeks.
Nick Wallis, the Council's Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "The new crossing will be a major contribution to road safety in a busy area of the town. With a large residential area, a supermarket, two schools and a health centre nearby, pedestrians need to be able to cross this road safely and the new crossing will enable them to do that."
Puffin crossings were first introduced to Darlington three years ago. In the last year, five new crossings have been installed in projects totalling £180,000, two at Northgate and others at Carmel Road, Woodland Road and Whinfield Road.