Lower Clapton Road set for £391k toucan crossing as part of school safety plans

The current crossing outside a former police station, now home to the Olive School. Image: Google

A new crossing is designed to improve safety for primary school pupils on a busy Hackney town centre road.

Hackney Council is spending £391,000 on the “toucan” crossing, for pedestrians and cyclists, near the Olive School on Lower Clapton Road.

It is part of plans to improve road safety near more schools in the borough and to encourage people to walk or cycle.

The council is using a government grant to convert an existing crossing into a signalled controlled one near the school which is housed in a former police station.

It will also fit traffic signals and add road markings to highlight the new crossing and do work to the speed table.

Other work includes moving a CCTV pole and a phone box.

Robert Chapman, the cabinet member for finance, said the new crossing should mean the 600 pupils will be able to cross Lower Clapton Road “in a safer and more controlled manner, lowering the likelihood of road collisions”.

He said the timed signals should help regulate bus travel times and traffic flow should be smoother.

The council hopes it will also be welcomed by customers using the Kings Hall Leisure Centre nearby.

Mete Coban, the cabinet member for climate change, environment and transport, said: “This is part of a package of  traffic reduction going to extend to further primary and secondary schools over the next two to three years to ensure children have clean air to breathe.”