The new toucan crossing is located on the A749 East Kilbride Road near its junction with St Stephens Avenue and has been installed by South Lanarkshire Council, in partnership with Walk Wheel Cycle Trust (formerly known as Sustrans). 

Prior to the improvements, the crossing was in two phases and featured a long and constrained refuge island in the centre of four lanes of traffic.

The new crossing is now a single phase, which has reduced waiting times and increased safety measures for all users.

Removing the refuge island as well as widening the crossing and the path, has greatly improved accessibility and reduced the risk of conflict with other road users.

The work also included upgrades to the two bus stop shelters close to the junction, alongside changes to existing warning signage to help reduce conflict between users and maximise available space.

Chair of the council’s Community and Enterprise Resources Committee, Councillor Robert Brown, said: “This upgrade helps in our efforts to make South Lanarkshire a safer place to walk, wheel and cycle.

“East Kilbride Road is a very busy road, and an obvious location for the toucan crossing.”  

The crossing forms part of the National Cycle Network route 756 and the works at this location were undertaken as part of wider work to improve the National Cycle Network across the country.

Simon Strain, Head of Delivery for the National Cycle Network Scotland, Cymru and Northern Ireland at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, added:  “This new crossing provides a safer and more accessible link across a very busy carriageway, making it easier for local people and visitors to walk, wheel and cycle through the area with confidence.

“We hope these improvements encourage more people across South Lanarkshire to explore the National Cycle Network and choose safer, more sustainable ways to make everyday journeys.”

The project has been funded by the Scottish Government through active travel organisation Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s Network Development Programme, in partnership with South Lanarkshire Council.