A new puffin crossing has been installed on Kempston Road to help pupils travel more safely to and from Cauldwell School.
Parents and carers of children who attend the school have been asking for a safe crossing on Kempston Road for some time, which was backed up by data from the Safer Streets project.
Encouraging walking, cycling or scooting to school is greatly beneficial to the local community by reducing traffic congestion and improving air quality. It aslo develops pedestrian and road safety skills, plus pupils arrive at school more alert and they have had some moderate physical exercise.
Cauldwell ward councillors. Abu Sultan and Fouzia Atiq (Labour), said; “We are delighted with the installation of the puffin crossing. Hopefully this will encourage even more children to walk to school.
“Walking to school brings a lot of benefits to children, parents, the school and the community as a whole. We wish to thank Bedford Borough Council for installing the puffin crossing which makes crossing a busy road safer for children and parents.”
A puffin crossing differs from a pelican crossing in that the lights signalling to the pedestrian when it is safe to cross are on the same side of the road as the pedestrian, rather than across the road.
Since 2016, pelican crossings are being phased out in favour of puffin crossings. The name ‘puffin’ is derived from the term ‘Pedestrian User-Friendly-Intelligent’.
Harish Thapar, Cauldwell Labour candidate added; “Our Councillors have been working closely with Bedford Borough Council to deliver on their promise to make our streets safer for all. We hope this new crossing will reassure parents their children can walk to school safely.”
