Known as the Pedestrian Scramble in other countries, this is a pedestrian free-for-all. When the signal is given, pedestrians may cross in any direction, including diagonally. The first X-crossing in the UK was in Balham in 2005 (see photo below by Nick Cooper at en.wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0)
Although very popular in Japan, there are only a few other places where you can find an X-crossing in the UK (Swansea, Wimbledon, Wood Green, Oxford Circus and now Harrogate in 2015). There is some controversy concerning their safety, especially since a recent collision at the Harrogate crossing between a vehicle and an elderly pedestrian resulted in the death of the pedestrian.
(photo by Mike Roberts from London, United Kingdom – New Oxford Circus X-CrossingUploaded by Sceptre, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=8377071)
Making Life an Art 
Oh we have loads of these 😀
Ooh another I’ve never seen! Despite visiting Swansea… might have to nip to Harrogate instead.
Sometimes I think that would make so much sense, there are some roads I cross where the crossings mean I take a really convoluted route to get to the other side, one crossing that means I could go in one direction only would be great.
Mars xx
@TrollbeadBlog from
Curling Stones for Lego People
I haven’t seen one in person yet either. Adding it to my bucket list!
I think I may have crossed at an X-crossing but I wouldn’t know since all I remember are pedestrians scrambling left, right and centre 🙂 I don’t think we have it here…
Sounds about right!
I live in Tooting so often use the crossing in Balham! I think its great, something you literally do need to go to the absolute opposite sides of the road and going in a right angle doesn’t leave much time for you to cross!
If you have time, check out my latest post about the Bedford in Balham at https://tootinghustle.wordpress.com/2017/05/02/the-bedford-in-review/ and let me know what you think 🙂 It’s literally around the corner from this crossing haha
Happy blogging x
Will do! Thanks for stopping by!