We are proud to have officially opened the UK’s first on‑site pedestrian crossing training facility right here at New College Worcester (NCW).
The Noel Duffy Pedestrian Crossing, installed within our campus grounds, provides a safe and realistic environment where blind and vision impaired students can develop the skills, confidence and independence needed to navigate pedestrian crossings in everyday life. Thought to be the first facility of its kind in the UK, the crossing allows students to practise in a controlled setting before applying these vital skills in real‑world situations.
A meaningful opening day
The crossing was officially opened at a special ceremony on campus, marking the culmination of an incredible collaborative project made possible thanks to the expertise, generosity and commitment of a wide range of industry partners.
The opening was attended by the Mayor of Worcester and the newly appointed High Sheriff of Worcestershire, Maynard Burton, alongside representatives from the organisations who helped bring the project to life. Their presence highlighted the importance of local and national collaboration in supporting independence and accessibility for blind and vision impaired young people.
We were also honoured to welcome Darren Harris, former NCW student and dual Paralympian in football and judo, who officially opened the crossing. Darren is England’s most capped and decorated blind footballer, with 157 international appearances and ten World and European medals. He is now a bestselling author, motivational speaker and mental skills coach, and his return to NCW was a powerful reminder of the opportunities available to young people who receive a specialist vision impairment education.
Supporting independence through mobility learning
NCW supports young people aged 11 to 19 who are blind or vision impaired, combining academic learning with personalised programmes that focus on essential life skills such as Braille, access technology, independent living and mobility.
It is within mobility lessons that the new crossing will have its greatest impact. The facility gives our Habilitation and Rehabilitation Officers consistent access to a realistic training environment, enabling students to practise safely, build confidence and develop independence at their own pace.
Rachel Perks, Principal of NCW, said:
“We are absolutely delighted with the crossing and incredibly grateful to everyone who supported the project. It will have a huge impact on our students and provides a unique training facility that we believe is the only one of its kind in the UK. It also allows other organisations and individuals to benefit from the facility by visiting our campus to practise their skills.”
Emma Moody, Head of Habilitation at NCW, added:
“Currently, students can only practise using controlled crossings in real‑life situations, which can be stressful and overwhelming. This new crossing allows them to learn and reinforce vital independence skills in a safe and calm environment, helping to build confidence before they encounter these situations outside of school.”
Delivered through industry collaboration
We are incredibly proud that this unique facility has been delivered at no cost to the College, thanks entirely to the exceptional generosity and expertise of our industry partners.
Worcestershire County Council’s Traffic Signal Department led the design of the crossing and provided the control cabinet that operates it, with ongoing guidance from Gavin Loach, Head of Traffic Signal Controls. Ringway delivered the full civil engineering works, supplying all labour and materials required for installation. Telent Technology Services provided the essential traffic signal equipment and carried out specialist installation and commissioning, while NAL Ltd supplied the underground infrastructure products. AGD Systems contributed advanced detection technology, including push‑button units and pedestrian detectors, and ATP supplied the traffic signal posts. Universal Display Ltd provided all site signage, and Nifty Communications supported the project through promotional and communications activity.
Together, these organisations have created a facility that will have a lasting impact on our students and the wider community.
In memory of Noel Duffy
The crossing stands as a lasting tribute to Noel Duffy, former NCW Governor and owner of Dolphin Computer Access, whose career spanned more than 30 years in the assistive technology sector. Noel played a vital role in improving access to technology for blind and partially sighted people around the world.
In 2022, Noel was recognised with the RNIB Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to accessibility and inclusion. He was also instrumental in campaigning for accessible educational resources and helped establish RNIB Bookshare, a service that now provides access to over one million titles for young people across the UK.
James Green, CEO of Dolphin Computer Access, said:
“Noel was a passionate advocate for blind and partially sighted people facing exclusion. He broke down barriers, championed equal access and contributed his expertise to many groups and boards. His influence and belief in Dolphin’s purpose continue to guide and inspire us, and we are proud to carry his work forward.”
Mark McCusker, on behalf of the Dolphin Board of Directors, added:
“Those of us who worked closely with Noel will remember not only his expertise, but his compassion, generosity and warmth. His insight and quiet wisdom touched so many people, and he will be deeply missed.”
The Noel Duffy Pedestrian Crossing stands as a powerful tribute to a man whose life’s work was dedicated to enabling others to live independently and with confidence.
Finally, we would like to extend a special thank you to Feargal O Connell and Nic Adams, whose vision and determination helped turn this idea into a reality. From first imagining what could be possible to driving the project forward and bringing partners together, their commitment and belief in the value of this facility were instrumental in making the Noel Duffy Pedestrian Crossing happen.
Project partners:
