Belisha beacon
Encyclopedia
A Belisha beacon icon is an amber-coloured globe lamp atop a tall black and white pole, marking pedestrian crossings of roads in the United Kingdom
, Ireland
and in other countries (e.g., Hong Kong
, Malta
) historically influenced by Britain. It was named after Leslie Hore-Belisha (1893–1957), the Minister of Transport
who in 1934 added beacons to pedestrian crossings, marked by large metal studs in the road surface. These crossings were later painted in black and white stripes, thus are known as zebra crossing
s. Legally pedestrians have the right of way (over wheeled traffic) on such crossings.
Belisha beacons provide additional visibility to zebra crossings for motorists, primarily at night. The flash commonly lasts one second in both on and off states. Some crossings are set so that each beacon flashes alternately to the other side, but they often fall out of synchronisation over time. Beacons with an outer ring of flashing amber LED
lights, preferred for their brightness and low electricity consumption, are replacing traditional incandescent bulbs in many areas.
To be legally compliant, every zebra crossing must be equipped with two Belisha beacons (though, legally, only one has to be working). A particular problem exists at crossings where there is a central reservation. Since the presence of a reservation creates two zebra crossings there has to be total of four Belisha beacons. Some installations illegally feature only one Belisha beacon on the central reservation intended to serve both crossings. In fact, in this scenario, both crossings are non compliant with the regulations (since it cannot be determined which crossing the beacon belongs to) and consequently a single central beacon is a valid defence for a motorist charged with violation of the crossing regulations.
In recent years the number of zebra crossings and Belisha beacons has fallen in the northern counties of England, being replaced by pelican crossing
s or puffin crossing
s, with pedestrian-controlled traffic signals; a waiting pedestrian can stop vehicular traffic by pressing a button and waiting for the pedestrian signal of a red and green man to change to green. The green man can be accompanied by a green bicycle to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and cyclists, continuing the bird-name theme, this type of crossing is called a Toucan crossing
, as in, 'two can' cross. Another variation is the pegasus crossing where the pedestrian is accompanied by a green horse to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and horses, for example, at Hyde Park Corner, London.
The first Belisha Beacon was erected in Wigan on the corner of Mesnes Street, and became operational on July 4, 1935.
The band Radiohead
mention the Belisha Beacon in their song "My Iron Lung".
The band Fujiya & Miyagi mentions the Belisha Beacon in the lyrics of their song "Ankle Injuries".
The musician Funki Porcini
has a song titled Belisha Beacon in his album "On".
In New Zealand
, the standard for pedestrian crossing
s specified in the Traffic Regulations requires such a device, or a yellow non-illuminated equivalent, atop a black and white pole at each side of the crossing.
Brisbane, Queensland Australia
briefly had a small number of Belisha beacon marked crossings in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but the majority of Australian crossings are zebra crossings marked by large yellow circular signs bearing a walking legs symbol.
In Australia, recent years have seen a proliferation of various kinds of beacons and bollard
s, illuminated, reflective or otherwise designed for high visibility at pedestrian crossings, to which the name Belisha or "Bellisher" is occasionally erroneously applied. These high-visibility crossing markers are often placed on refuge island
s in the middle of the road, in addition to or instead of at the roadside. Many of these new crossings are signposted that pedestrians must give way to traffic.
and Robin Hood's Well
. The gameplay was based on the game Rummy
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
and in other countries (e.g., Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
, Malta
Malta
Malta , officially known as the Republic of Malta , is a Southern European country consisting of an archipelago situated in the centre of the Mediterranean, south of Sicily, east of Tunisia and north of Libya, with Gibraltar to the west and Alexandria to the east.Malta covers just over in...
) historically influenced by Britain. It was named after Leslie Hore-Belisha (1893–1957), the Minister of Transport
Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
who in 1934 added beacons to pedestrian crossings, marked by large metal studs in the road surface. These crossings were later painted in black and white stripes, thus are known as zebra crossing
Zebra crossing
A zebra crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing used in many places around the world. Its distinguishing feature is alternating dark and light stripes on the road surface, from which it derives its name. A zebra crossing typically gives extra rights of way to pedestrians.The use of zebra...
s. Legally pedestrians have the right of way (over wheeled traffic) on such crossings.
Belisha beacons provide additional visibility to zebra crossings for motorists, primarily at night. The flash commonly lasts one second in both on and off states. Some crossings are set so that each beacon flashes alternately to the other side, but they often fall out of synchronisation over time. Beacons with an outer ring of flashing amber LED
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
lights, preferred for their brightness and low electricity consumption, are replacing traditional incandescent bulbs in many areas.
To be legally compliant, every zebra crossing must be equipped with two Belisha beacons (though, legally, only one has to be working). A particular problem exists at crossings where there is a central reservation. Since the presence of a reservation creates two zebra crossings there has to be total of four Belisha beacons. Some installations illegally feature only one Belisha beacon on the central reservation intended to serve both crossings. In fact, in this scenario, both crossings are non compliant with the regulations (since it cannot be determined which crossing the beacon belongs to) and consequently a single central beacon is a valid defence for a motorist charged with violation of the crossing regulations.
In recent years the number of zebra crossings and Belisha beacons has fallen in the northern counties of England, being replaced by pelican crossing
Pelican crossing
A Pelican crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing featuring a pair of poles each with a standard set of traffic lights facing oncoming traffic, a push button and two illuminated, coloured men facing the pedestrian from across the road - a red, stationary man to indicate that it is not safe to...
s or puffin crossing
Puffin crossing
A pedestrian user-friendly intelligent crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing in use in the United Kingdom.It differs from a pelican crossing in that the lights controlling the pedestrians are on the near side of the road, rather than on the opposite side...
s, with pedestrian-controlled traffic signals; a waiting pedestrian can stop vehicular traffic by pressing a button and waiting for the pedestrian signal of a red and green man to change to green. The green man can be accompanied by a green bicycle to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and cyclists, continuing the bird-name theme, this type of crossing is called a Toucan crossing
Toucan crossing
A toucan crossing is a type of pedestrian crossing found in the United Kingdom that also allows bicycles to be ridden across. Since two-can, both pedestrians and cyclists, cross together, the name toucan was chosen....
, as in, 'two can' cross. Another variation is the pegasus crossing where the pedestrian is accompanied by a green horse to indicate that the crossing is designated for pedestrians and horses, for example, at Hyde Park Corner, London.
The first Belisha Beacon was erected in Wigan on the corner of Mesnes Street, and became operational on July 4, 1935.
The band Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
mention the Belisha Beacon in their song "My Iron Lung".
The band Fujiya & Miyagi mentions the Belisha Beacon in the lyrics of their song "Ankle Injuries".
The musician Funki Porcini
Funki Porcini
Funki Porcini is musician and film maker, James Braddell, from England.His music is a combination of Downtempo, Breakbeat and Jazz with elements of Hip hop, Drum and bass, sampling and time-stretched vocals...
has a song titled Belisha Beacon in his album "On".
International prominence
In the Republic of Ireland, Belisha beacons are usually accompanied by much higher visibility dual flashing amber traffic lights on either side. Some zebra crossings have only these rather than Belisha beacons.In New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the standard for pedestrian crossing
Pedestrian crossing
A pedestrian crossing or crosswalk is a designated point on a road at which some means are employed to assist pedestrians wishing to cross. They are designed to keep pedestrians together where they can be seen by motorists, and where they can cross most safely across the flow of vehicular traffic...
s specified in the Traffic Regulations requires such a device, or a yellow non-illuminated equivalent, atop a black and white pole at each side of the crossing.
Brisbane, Queensland Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
briefly had a small number of Belisha beacon marked crossings in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but the majority of Australian crossings are zebra crossings marked by large yellow circular signs bearing a walking legs symbol.
In Australia, recent years have seen a proliferation of various kinds of beacons and bollard
Bollard
A bollard is a short vertical post. Originally it meant a post used on a ship or a quay, principally for mooring. The word now also describes a variety of structures to control or direct road traffic, such as posts arranged in a line to obstruct the passage of motor vehicles...
s, illuminated, reflective or otherwise designed for high visibility at pedestrian crossings, to which the name Belisha or "Bellisher" is occasionally erroneously applied. These high-visibility crossing markers are often placed on refuge island
Refuge island
A refuge island, also known as a pedestrian refuge or pedestrian island, is a small section of pavement or sidewalk, completely surrounded by asphalt or other road materials, where pedestrians can stop before finishing crossing a road...
s in the middle of the road, in addition to or instead of at the roadside. Many of these new crossings are signposted that pedestrians must give way to traffic.
Card Game
In the 1930s there was a popular card game based on road safety that was called 'Belisha'. It featured pictures of road scenes and a few notable places like Gretna GreenGretna Green
Gretna Green is a village in the south of Scotland famous for runaway weddings. It is in Dumfries and Galloway, near the mouth of the River Esk and was historically the first village in Scotland, following the old coaching route from London to Edinburgh. Gretna Green has a railway station serving...
and Robin Hood's Well
Robin Hood's Well
Robin Hood's Well is at Skellow, South Yorkshire, England by the old Great North Road, in what was known as Barnsdale or Barnsdale Forest.The well was moved from its original location when the dual carriageway alongside it was built. Hence it is no longer a real well, and has a solid concrete...
. The gameplay was based on the game Rummy
Rummy
Rummy is a group of card games notable for gameplay based on the matching of similar playing cards. The Mexican game of Conquian is considered by David Parlett to be ancestral to all rummy games, which itself is derived from a Chinese game called Khanhoo and, going even further back,...
.