Head to Greenwich for the most inclusive road crossings in London.
You probably don’t give much thought to much road crossings on a daily basis, unless you’re making a beeline for a certain zebra crossing on Abbey Road. However, that’s about to change. For the second year in a row, and inspired by the annual Pride in London celebrations, the Royal Borough of Greenwich has taken the opportunity to give some of their road crossings a glorious glow up.
SEE ALSO: Herne Hill is home to the UK’s first permanent rainbow crossing.
Yep, follow the rainbow road for a path to diversity, inclusiveness, and equality, as the Royal Borough of Greenwich signals their support for Pride once again. This year, they’ve increased the number of crossings to seven in order to make it a borough-wide celebration; joining last year’s crossings in Greenwich and Plumstead town centres are rainbow roads in the heart of Charlton and Eltham. Meanwhile, the junction of Thomas Street and Wellington Street in Woolwich is frankly showing off with three rainbow crossings, creating a Pride junction.
The crossings will be in place for the remainder of June and into July, a visible reminder of London’s role in the movement for LGBTQIA rights and equality. Such visibility is particularly important in a year in which the coronavirus pandemic has forced the majority of London’s Pride celebrations online and cancelled the city’s joyful Pride in London parade, which drew over one million participants and spectators in 2019.
Speaking on the launch of the crossings, councillor Adel Khaireh, Greenwich Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture and Communities, noted that “Diversity is one of our greatest assets that should be celebrated, and the Pride crossings are a reminder to us all that, as a community, everyone is valued. We must continue to promote equality, celebrate diversity and share experiences within and beyond our communities.” Wise words, and we can but hope that in the sad absence of city-wide Pride celebrations, London will continue to take bold strides towards full inclusion and equality.
In other Greenwich news, have you seen the borough’s huge new Black Lives Matter mural?
Also published on Medium.