Simple Zebra crossings are a quick and cheap way to improve road safety and encourage active travel. It's just a shame that the UK makes them borderline illegal.
In the recent redevelopment of St. John's Wood High Street, I tried to encourage the upgrade of the existing zebras (2 out of 4 arms on a crossroad, really needs to be 3 or 4) to become a Shibuya like scramble (with one diagonal, to follow primary pedestrian desire line). Refused despite utility and also cultural tourism benefits (the area has a Japanese expat community, and existing tourism to the Abbey Road Studios zebra).
There was an experimental 3d painted zebra at the other end of the high street, now removed and a normal zebra installed. I felt that at the time it needed to be a full speed table zebra (as is the case at the other end) to discourage late night speeding/ASB from drivers of expensive fast cars; a problem still not addressed (at several locations nearby)
In the recent redevelopment of St. John's Wood High Street, I tried to encourage the upgrade of the existing zebras (2 out of 4 arms on a crossroad, really needs to be 3 or 4) to become a Shibuya like scramble (with one diagonal, to follow primary pedestrian desire line). Refused despite utility and also cultural tourism benefits (the area has a Japanese expat community, and existing tourism to the Abbey Road Studios zebra).
There was an experimental 3d painted zebra at the other end of the high street, now removed and a normal zebra installed. I felt that at the time it needed to be a full speed table zebra (as is the case at the other end) to discourage late night speeding/ASB from drivers of expensive fast cars; a problem still not addressed (at several locations nearby)