A new lights-controlled crossing is now in operation to improve access for people using a shared trail in Torquay.

The Toucan crossing in Shiphay Lane connects the Hospital Path and Rainbow Drive, part of an important route linking Torbay Hospital and the seafront.

The crossing provides a safe way for people walking, wheeling and cycling to cross three lanes of traffic.

The project has also seen the creation of a new footway and cycleway entrance to link the crossing into Rainbow Drive. 

The Hospital Trail is one of a number of important active travel routes where Torbay Council is improving facilities for walking, wheeling and cycling.

The work is part of the Council's commitment to provide easier, safer and more desirable routes for people to use, benefiting health and the environment. 

Highways engineers have carefully considered the impact of the new crossing on traffic flows and have taken steps to minimise the impact while ensuring it can be used safely.

The crossing signals are linked through smart technology to the lights at the nearby junction on Newton Road.

This means the crossing lights will only activate on demand once in every 120-second cycle of the lights at the junction.

The green man will light for five seconds and traffic will be held to give enough time for people to cross safely.

A new high-friction surface has been installed along with road studs and new lane markings.

Cllr Adam Billings, Cabinet Member for Pride in Place and Parking, said: “We want people to be safe in their communities and we have been working to make active travel like walking and cycling easier. This benefits health and wellbeing, quality of life and the economy.

"This new crossing and further improvements to the Hospital Trail will give people more options for journeys to school, work, and for leisure. 

"We know Shiphay Lane is an important strategic route, so we have planned the crossing carefully to minimise the impact on traffic flows.

"The crossing will improve safety for the users of the trail including those travelling to and from the hospital, as well as the many schoolchildren walking through this area and other vulnerable road users.

"We thank everyone for their patience during the work to create the crossing."

The Shiphay Lane crossing forms part of the Hospital Trail which is included in Torbay’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan.

It has been funded by a grant from the UK Government's Active Travel Fund, supporting the Government’s drive to increase the number of active travel journeys.

There is more information about how the Council is improving active travel on its website at www.torbay.gov.uk/active-travel .