Around 50 pedestrian traffic signals around Trafalgar Square have had their ‘walk’ image replaced with new diversity images as part of the celebrations for Gay Pride this coming weekend.
The familiar green walking symbol has been replaced with either green gender related symbols or a new ‘holding hands’ design.
Designed in-house by TfL, they were inspired by a similar set of traffic signals that were produced in Vienna last year.
There will be seven special designs to represent LGBT+ relationships, including a holding hands symbol and a widely recognised trans symbol. The images are only seen when the pedestrian light turns green and are a temporary installation in the Trafalgar Square area.
TfL has already undertaken several different initiatives to highlight the importance of diversity and inclusivity in the capital, including creating a rainbow wrapped bus, taxi and DLR train and pedestrian crossing.
In related news, a reminder that the Red Arrows will also fly over London on Saturday as part of the Pride celebrations.
What a waste of money and how confusing for visitors and children, so much for the “Green Man” code of safe crossing
Indeed. This is all very well-intentioned, but is it a reasonable use of the small fortune we passengers pay them each month?
a) the installation was done by Siemens for free and b) the production costs and time at Tfl would be in the regions of billionths of a percentage point of their annual budget.
I like it – a neat bit of low-profile sponsorship that will I am sure make a lot of people smile.
Thank you TFL and thank you Siemens for paying. What a great way to show that public services are for EVERYONE and that TFL employs people from across the whole rainbow spectrum to supply our services.