Request ID: FOI-0622-2122 Date published: 27 July 2021
You asked
Symbols on some pedestrian crossing lights have been altered from the "walking green man" stipulated in Schedule 9 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 1994, being replaced by various combinations of sex symbols.
By what authority (that is, under what legislation) was this done, please?
If the replacement is temporary, what are the dates between which this replacement takes place?
How many lights are affected?
What is the cost of the operation in 2021? If figures are available for previous years, please provide costs for 2020, 2019 and 2018.
I should like to know just the total cost of changing the regulated symbols to other symbols (if this was done by TfL) and changing them back again.
If the answer to the first question is that the alteration is unauthorised, what action is TfL taking to correct the signs?
If the lights do not come under TfL responsibility, please tell me who this request should be directed to. I have already made this request of the GLA, who directed me to TfL.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0622-2122 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 25 June 2021, asking for information about traffic signals. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked: By what authority (that is, under what legislation) was this done, please? The design has the similar look and feel to the standard green figure and is in line with other Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions (TSRGD) signage. Formal DfT approval was not sought as it wasnot intended that these symbols will become a standard treatment. A risk assessment was carried out prior to their installation and the diversity symbols were deemed safe for use as they were applied to the green aspect only. The original risk assessment is publishedhere. The risk assessment was reviewed in November 2019 and includes an analysis of the collision records post-implementation, concluding the road safety risks of the diversity signals to be negligible. Please find a copy attached.
The new designs vary from the standard road safety rules and regulations, but we have consulted with road safety experts within TfL and taken necessary steps to mitigate risks and minimise confusion to pedestrians using the crossing. If the replacement is temporary, what are the dates between which this replacement takes place? There are currently no scheduled dates to remove the signals. How many lights are affected? At Trafalgar Square, there are five sets of signals that have the diversity symbols. There are 23 set of signals at different locations that have the International Women’s day symbols, which are detailed in this press release https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2021/march/new-green-woman-traffic-light-signals-celebrate-women-on-international-women-s-day What is the cost of the operation in 2021? If figures are available for previous years, please provide costs for 2020, 2019 and 2018. (I should like to know just the total cost of changing the regulated symbols to other symbols (if this was done by TfL) and changing them back again. I'm not interested in the cost of operating traffic lights, but rather the costs of this specific change on lights you operate) There was no cost to TfL for installing either the diversity signals or the International Women’s Day signals. Works were carried out by our contractors free of charge. We do not hold the details of what it cost them. There is no ongoing additional cost to the public above a standard green pedestrian crossing symbol. If the answer to the first question is that the alteration is unauthorised, what action is TfL taking to correct the signs? There is no requirement for any further action. Please see previous responses on this subject published at the following links; https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-2672-1718 https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0989-1920 https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0012-2021 If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me. Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. Yours sincerely Eva Hextall FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
