New Puffin Crossing Boosts Road Safety

A new puffin crossing is helping to keep children safe on their routes to and from schools in South Tyneside.

The permanent crossing point has been installed in Sunderland Road, near the junction with Holmfield Avenue, in South Shields.

It provides a safe place for pupils and students of nearby infant, junior and comprehensive schools to cross the road in the absence of a school crossing patrol.

Councillor Ernest Gibson, Lead Member for Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, said: "The safety of children is a key priority therefore it's fantastic to see this scheme come to fruition. Sunderland Road is a particularly busy stretch of road.

"We have been looking at ways of improving road safety in this area. This new puffin crossing will not only benefit children and their families travelling to and from local schools. As a permanent feature it is operational 24/7, increasing safety for all pedestrians in this area."

A puffin crossing can detect when people are using it as well as monitor traffic flows to help ensure that vehicles are not waiting needlessly.

The scheme comes following consultation earlier this year, and was funded from the Council's capital budget in addition to Local Transport Plan funding.