The Department for Transport (DfT) has made no specific assessment of the merits of pedestrian crossing lights having an option for a longer crossing time for disabled pedestrians. Local authorities are responsible for setting appropriate crossing times on their crossings, reflecting local conditions.
The relevant guidance issued by DfT, Local Transport Note 2/95—‘Design of Pedestrian Crossings’, states that it may be desirable to extend the green man period if there will be considerable use by disabled pedestrians. The DfT also recommends the use of ‘Puffin’ (pedestrian user friendly intelligent) crossings that use detection technology to adjust the crossing period, depending on walking speed.