Scheme of the Month - Innovative Cycle Crossing, Leicestershire
This crossing helps cyclists travelling to East Midlands Airport to cross the busy A453 safely. The new link will also form part of National Cycle Route 15, connecting East Midlands Airport with Nottingham and Lincolnshire, as well as eventually linking Leicester to the airport via National Cycle Route 6.
In order to overcome limited visibility on this derestricted road, Leicestershire County Council has installed the first CATS (Cycle Activated Traffic Sign) crossing in the world. The crossing uses pressure pads to activate a sign with flashing amber lights and a ‘SLOW DOWN’ message for traffic approaching on the A453. If a cyclist rides over the pad (or waits to cross) at the same time as an approaching car is detected by the sign’s radar, the sign is activated. The lights warn drivers so they slow down but the cyclist at the CATS crossing is unaware that a sign is being activated down the road and so proceeds with the same level of caution.
This unique application of the technology, which was designed by Leicestershire County Council engineers and funded by East Midlands Airport at a cost of £85,000, received the Design award at the annual ‘EMMAs’ (East Midlands Merit Awards), hosted by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
The crossing went live in September 2006 and initial results during speed monitoring exercises show a 10% reduction in average speeds when the CATS are activated. This means most vehicles are travelling at just over 40 mph past the crossing. Monitoring will continue and, although a full user survey has not yet been carried out, the feedback so far has been excellent.
For more information please contact Ian Vears at
