To ask the Minister for Regional Development whether his Department has considered phasing out pelican crossings in favour of puffin or countdown crossings.

My Department has been installing Puffin Crossings since September 2011. Both Pelican and Puffin crossings are fully approved for use on the public road network in the UK. However, for all new controlled crossing installations, my Department’s first consideration will be to install a Puffin crossing. Due to the cost involved, my Department does not have a retrofit programme to change all existing Pelicans to Puffins, but as existing Pelican equipment becomes due for upgrading, then again Puffins will be the initial consideration.

With regard to countdown crossings, my Department is aware of the work ongoing in London with this facility and we will continue to monitor and assess their effectiveness before determining any potential future usage in Northern Ireland.