Slow down!

That's the message Halton Council wants to get across to motorists after a new puffin crossing was unveiled in Halton View Road last week, writes Nick Lakeman.

Pupils from nearby St John Fisher Catholic Primary School came up with the catchy slogan which features on a gateway sign at the start of the road safety improvements.

The scheme was funded by Halton's local transport plan after calls from concerned residents and ward councillors.

Cllr Rob Polhill, the council's board member for transport, welcomed the resurfaced roads and paths, speed bumps, better street lighting and more parking bays.

"I am pleased to see the scheme completed as it addresses people's concerns," he said.

"There are a lot of elderly and children who use this road and this is designed to make it safer for them as well as easing the parking problems and making the area more attractive."

Puffin crossings are an updated version of pelican crossings and have special sensors to detect when a pedestrian is waiting and when they have safely crossed the road.

The main visible difference is that they do not a flashing green man for pedestrians or a flashing amber signal for drivers. Instead, they have red and green lights on the 'wait' box.

As well as improving safety, the council hopes the new measures will ease congestion and aid parking and access to businesses and the church.

PHOTO by IAN PARK (IPQ150806)