Edinburgh traffic lights to feature LGBT symbols for Pride
Edinburgh Pride traffic symbols (Siemens)
A number of green traffic symbols in Edinburgh are being replaced with “diversity symbols” to celebrate the city’s Pride parade, which takes place tomorrow (June 22).
35 pedestrian symbols and traffic signals are being replaced with the diversity images to celebrate this year’s Pride parade.
The ordinary light signals will be replaced with gender symbols which will represent lesbian, gay, trans and straight relationships.
The LGBT+ signals are being introduced ahead of Edinburgh Pride
“We’re delighted to be helping to display these diversity symbols through the Old Town as part of this year’s Pride Festival,” said Karen Doran of Edinburgh Council.
“We’re proud to be an LGBT+ friendly Council and these special traffic signals drive home our message – we welcome everyone to our city.”
The traffic signals have been installed by Siemens Mobility. Wilke Reints, Managing Director of Siemens Mobility’s Intelligent Traffic Systems business in the UK, said diversity and inclusion is important to them.
“This is a great example of a simple idea having a major impact,” he said.
“We’re proud to be an LGBT+ friendly Council and these special traffic signals drive home our message – we welcome everyone to our city.”
– Councillor Karen Doran
“I’d like to pass my thanks to Edinburgh City Council for engaging and working with us to use the new symbols on traffic controls in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh traffic symbols (Siemens)
“For the 2019 celebrations, we’ve worked with local authorities in six cities UK-wide to ensure more diversity symbols are on display than ever before to help raise awareness of LGBT+ issues.”
Other cities have had LGBT+ traffic symbols in the past to mark Pride parades
This is not the first time such a move has been made. In 2016, a similar measure was adopted to mark Pride in London. Later, Transport for London (TFL) announced that LGBT pedestrian lights would become a permanent fixture in the city’s streets.
Since then, other cities have benefited from the initiative. Last year, Manchester was given new pedestrian signals to mark its annual Pride festival.
The diversity traffic signals will remain on display for the duration of the parade procession while roads are closed to vehicles. Siemens Mobility has installed the new signals at its own cost.
