A pensioner who feared he would lose his independence when he could no longer use the pelican crossing near his home is overjoyed after a pioneering traffic engineering solution has been installed.
The crossing in Undercliffe, Bradford, opposite the Greenman pub, has been adapted giving the 88-year-old longer to cross.
Desmond Wright, who uses a walking frame to help with his mobility, said: "The green man didn't stay on long enough for me and I couldn't cross the road in time. I was only half way across the road when the lights turned to green.
"Drivers were getting very impatient with me and a lot of other older residents who were experiencing the same problem."
Mr Wright, of Hatfield Road, Undercliffe, Bradford, said he relies on the crossing to be able to get to the shops every day.
"Without the crossing I would have been house-bound.
"I would like to thank Bradford Council for helping me and the other elderly people living here.
"They have made a big difference to our quality of life and I am delighted that I have been given back my independence."
Tony McNiff, the Council's principal engineer for traffic signals, said officers were alerted to Mr Wright's plight by a member of the public.
"We received a phone call about Mr Wright and the problems he was having and started looking at ways that we could help him.
"Within two days the new system was fitted."
The computerised device, that costs about £1,000, works by detecting the speed that pedestrians are travelling at and adjusting the time given to cross accordingly.
It is the first time the Council has used the system in direct response to a request for help from a member of the public.
"It's a pioneering traffic solution that enables us to help people cross roads more safely," said Mr McNiff.
"It's particularly useful for people with mobility problems."
Standard crossings give pedestrians seven seconds to cross.
"The video detector even picks up people who are stationary so it is a very accurate device," he said.
It can also detect if no-one crosses the road and reverts to green for motorists if the crossing is not being used.
Steve Thornton, Bradford Council's principal engineer for Bradford south, said: "I am extremely pleased that we have been able to help Mr Wright so swiftly.
"We are always looking to help people find traffic solutions that will make a big difference to their lives."
e-mail: jennifer.sugden@bradford.newsquest.co.uk
Click on the logo below to submit your pledge
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article