HEARD THE ONE ABOUT THE TIGER AND THE SQUIRREL?

What do you get when you cross a tiger with a squirrel?

Answer? Safety for pedestrians, cyclists and school children in south Middlesbrough...

That's because the town's first ever ‘tiger crossing' has opened at Newham Way in Coulby Newham with Middlesbrough Council's road safety mascot Safety Squirrel on hand to inspect the works.

A tiger crossing combines a pedestrian zebra with a crossing for people on bikes. They are called tiger because early versions had yellow stripes on black tarmac.

Children and staff from Sunnyside Academy and Coulby Newham ward councillors David Branson, Stefan Walker and Luke Mason visited the crossing along with Middlesbrough Council officers.

Cllr Branson said: "I think this crossing is long overdue and I would like to thank all the people who helped get it installed. It will be a great help in keeping people safe on this dangerous stretch of road, especially for people going to the Parkway Centre or the Leisure Farm and park."

Cllr Walker said: "Coming out of lockdown it is vital that residents are able to move around safely and this crossing will serve people from both sides of Newham Way well.

"As a new Councillor I am also happy to see processes work. From knocking on doors with a petition to then speaking to Council officers and finally to construction. I hope for more of the same!"

Cllr Mason said: "I think the crossing is great news for the area as it provides residents with another safe place to cross Newham Way. It will also give many residents easy access to the planned Coulby Newham play park which will be getting built in the not too distant future."

Sunnyside headteacher Julie Sutton added: "We were very pleased to be involved in such an important community development.

"Ensuring the safety of both pedestrian users and cyclists is a great idea and one that we welcome in such a busy area."

ENDS

Press Notice 6570. 12/07/21

Issued by Andrew Pain, Senior Communications Officer on 01642 729503.

www.middlesbrough.gov.uk

Follow Middlesbrough Council on Twitter: @MbroCouncil

NOTES TO EDITORS

Pn6570 Tiger crossing 1 - Children and staff from Sunnyside Academy visited the new ‘tiger crossing' at Newham Way with Coulby Newham ward councillors David Branson, Stefan Walker and Luke Mason, Middlesbrough Council officers and the authority's road safety mascot Safety Squirrel.

Pn6570 Tiger crossing 2 - Children and staff from Sunnyside Academy visited the new ‘tiger crossing' at Newham Way with Coulby Newham ward councillors David Branson, Stefan Walker and Luke Mason, Middlesbrough Council officers and the authority's road safety mascot Safety Squirrel.

Pn6570 Tiger crossing 3 - Coulby Newham ward councillors David Branson, Luke Mason and Stefan Walker are joined by Middlesbrough Council's road safety mascot Safety Squirrel to recreate the famous Abbey Road album cover of The Beatles at the new ‘tiger crossing' at Newham Way.